The Marriage provisions of the Civil Registration Act, 2004 became law on 5th November, 2007. This legislation brought about major changes in the procedures for solemnising the registering marriages in the Republic.

The main changes in relation to religious marriages are as follows:-

• the requirement that all couples attend in person at the Registrar’s office to give their notification, establish their identity and freedom to marry and sign declarations of no impediment;

• the requirement that all couples must be issued with a Marriage Registration Form (MFR) by a registrar before the marriage can proceed;
• the new Register of *Solemnisers; all those solemnising marriages in the State on or after 5th November, 2007 must be on this Register which is maintained by the General Register Office. The Register of Solemnisers is maintained by the General Register Office and only GRO staff can add, delete or amend registrations. If your priest resides outside the state, please ask him to contact the GRO Marriages Unit, Government Offices, Convent Road, Roscommon, phone 090 6632945/6/7/8/9 or website www.groireland.ie