Solemnization of marriage

14.-(1) At any time not less than fifteen days, or such shorter period as the Court may in exceptional cases and for good reason direct, and not more than three months from the date of the posting of the notice, or where after an opposition has been made the Court so directs, the marriage officer shall, if so requested by the parties to the betrothal, proceed to solemnize the marriage or give to the parties a certificate under his hand and seal with regard to the due posting up of the notice and such certificate shall be sufficient authority for the solemnization of the marriage by any other marriage officer within a period not exceeding three months from the date of such certificate: Provided that a marriage officer shall refuse to solemnize the marriage or give a certificate as aforesaid if, in the meantime, there has come to his knowledge that there exists some disability or some other legal impediment to the marriage but, in every such case the marriage officer shall give notice thereof to the parties and, if not himself a judge of the Court, shall forthwith notify the Court of such refusal and the Court shall give such directions thereon as to it may seem fit and the marriage officer concerned shall comply with such directions.

(2) The marriage shall be solemnized by a marriage officer in the presence of two or more witnesses of full age in the office of the marriage officer with open doors:

Provided that, upon the production of a medical certificate that a party to the intended marriage is, owing to illness, unable to attend the office, the marriage may be solemnized in such other place as the marriage officer may consider convenient.

(3) The marriage officer shall ask each party to the intended marriage whether they desire to be joined in matrimony; and, upon each of the parties replying in the affirmative and upon signing the prescribed book, the marriage officer shall declare them to be legally married and shall issue to each of the parties a marriage certificate in such form as may be prescribed.