Legislation governing marriages is found in Part 6 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 (as amended). Section 46 of that Act requires that the parties to the intended marriage give to a registrar three months’ notice of their intention to marry, unless an exemption has been granted by the courts under section 47.
Applications for an exemption may be made to either: (i) the Circuit Family Court in the jurisdiction in which either of the parties reside or carry on any profession, business or occupation or where the place of the intended marriage is situated; or (ii) the High Court.
An application may be made informally and may be held in camera. No court fee will be charged. An exemption will not be granted unless the applicants can show that it is justified by serious reasons and that it is in their interests.