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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: bammy52 on Saturday 22 November 14 14:17 GMT (UK)

Title: 1880's England Registry Office ID needed to marry
Post by: bammy52 on Saturday 22 November 14 14:17 GMT (UK)

My ancestor married in 1885 at Stockbridge register office, he used his mother's first marriage surname.
What ID would he have needed to get married? Would he have had to use his birth certificate?

Many Thanks

Title: Re: 1880'S ENGLAND REGISTRY OFFICE ID NEEDED TO MARRY
Post by: Lostris on Saturday 22 November 14 14:18 GMT (UK)

None whatsoever !

Title: Re: 1880'S ENGLAND REGISTRY OFFICE ID NEEDED TO MARRY
Post by: stanmapstone on Saturday 22 November 14 14:22 GMT (UK)

There was no requirement to prove anything, that is the reason for banns in a church, and the marriage book in a Register Office, so that the details are available to the public so that any objections to the legality of the proposed marriage can be made. The system is 'informant' driven, that is the minister or registrar accept what they are told. People could be, and were, very rarely, prosecuted for perjury if any of the details were willfully incorrect, but they would have to be found out.
Today you have to provide proof of identity to get married in a Register Office.
Stan

Title: Re: 1880'S ENGLAND REGISTRY OFFICE ID NEEDED TO MARRY
Post by: bammy52 on Saturday 22 November 14 14:29 GMT (UK)

thank you for all the replies