# The Family Proceedings Rules (Northern Ireland) 1996, Rule 2.42: Evidence of marriage [ or overseas relationship] outside Northern Ireland

Extent: N.I.

(1) The celebration of a marriage outside Northern Ireland and its validity under the law of the country where it was celebrated may, in any family proceedings in which the existence and validity of the marriage is not disputed, be proved by the evidence of one of the parties to the marriage and the production of a document purporting to be—
(a) a marriage certificate or similar document issued under the law in force in that country; or
(b) a certified copy of an entry in a register of marriages kept under the law in force in that country.
[1A The formation of an overseas relationship other than a marriage, outside Northern Ireland and its validity under the law of the country where it was formed may, in any family proceedings in which the existence and validity of that relationship is not disputed, be proved by the evidence of one of the parties to it and the production of a document purporting to be—
(a) a certificate or similar document issued under the law in force in that country evidencing its formation; or
(b) a certified copy of an entry in a register of such relationships kept under the law in force in that country.]
(2) Where a document produced by virtue of paragraph (1) [ or (1A)] is not in English it shall, unless the court otherwise directs, be accompanied by a translation certified by a notary public or authenticated by affidavit.
(3) This rule shall not be construed as precluding the proof of a marriage [ or the existence of an overseas relationship which is not a marriage] in accordance with the Evidence (Foreign, Dominion and Colonial Documents) Act 1933 or in any other manner authorised apart from this rule.
[(4 In this rule, an “overseas relationship” has the same meaning as in section 212 of the Act of 2004.]

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/1996/322/rule/2.42 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/family-proceedings-rules-northern-ireland-1996/rule-2.42
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.