Civil Registration

[blackpool]

Can anyone tell me if people getting married in the early 1900s were required to prove who they were - name, age etc? In other words, can I assume that the information given on a marriage cert will be correct, or was it all taken on trust?

[KGarrad]

All registrations were informant led, and no proof was asked for.

The point of calling banns, in their home parishes, was to ensure that the marriage was legitimate.

[dawnsh]

It's only relatively recently that you had to 'prove' certain details before marriage.

Eg I didn't have to show my birth cert when I got maried in the 1980's.

So in the 1900's it's all informant driven as loads of Rootschatters will confirm as they have found spurious details on certs that don't reflect the truth.

I'm sure AnthonyMMM will add to this later on.

[AntonyMMM]

I suspect in 1900 - very little in the way of "proof" was needed.

Currently you have to show evidence of your ID ( doesn't have to be a birth certificate, very often a passport is used) ...and residence (e.g. utility bill with current address etc.). If either party is non UK and especially Non-EU then further documents may be needed. If either states they have been previously married, then death cert of previous spouse or divorce decree would also be needed.

Occupation, Father's name and Father's occupation entered on the regsiter are whatever the bride/groom choose to give and are not checked.

[dawnsh]

thanks Anthony.

[blackpool]

Thanks all - just what I feared.