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WillowTheWhisp · 13-12-2007, 06:43

I am what is known as the "Responsible Authorised Person" for our chapel, but only for the designated chapel. I have two additional assistants who can act on my behalf in my absence. Any wedding which takes place in our chapel must have one of us present to do the paperwork or the wedding would not be legal. The Bishop conducts the actual ceremony and does all the "Will you Fred Whojamathump take this woman Jane Whatsername" stuff but that's not the legal part that's only half of it. I have to have the required info before the wedding takes place and then complete the certificate during the ceremony. I try to get it done whilst the "Do you and does he?" bit is going on so that the actual signing is quite short and the congregation doesn't get bored. There are 3 things for them to sign anyway and they have to be signed by bride and groom 2 witnesses and the Bishop as well as me and that can take long enough!

A Responsible Authorised Person is authorised by the Registrar General not by the church. I am answerable to Smedly Hydro!

If none of the three of us are available then someone from the Register Office is asked to do it but they charge for their services.

13-12-2007, 06:43	#58
WillowTheWhisp Resident Waffler Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Accrington, Hyndburn Posts: 18,142 Blog Entries: 14 Liked: 14 times Rep Power: 1062	Re: Rant... I am what is known as the "Responsible Authorised Person" for our chapel, but only for the designated chapel. I have two additional assistants who can act on my behalf in my absence. Any wedding which takes place in our chapel must have one of us present to do the paperwork or the wedding would not be legal. The Bishop conducts the actual ceremony and does all the "Will you Fred Whojamathump take this woman Jane Whatsername" stuff but that's not the legal part that's only half of it. I have to have the required info before the wedding takes place and then complete the certificate during the ceremony. I try to get it done whilst the "Do you and does he?" bit is going on so that the actual signing is quite short and the congregation doesn't get bored. There are 3 things for them to sign anyway and they have to be signed by bride and groom 2 witnesses and the Bishop as well as me and that can take long enough! A Responsible Authorised Person is authorised by the Registrar General not by the church. I am answerable to Smedly Hydro! If none of the three of us are available then someone from the Register Office is asked to do it but they charge for their services. __________________ Last edited by WillowTheWhisp; 13-12-2007 at 06:47.