Marriage Duty Act 1694

XX. Persons in Holy Orders to keep a Register of Marriages, Christenings, and Burials;

Free Access thereto without Fee; Penalty £100.

And bee it further enacted for the better levying and collecting the duties granted by this Act That all Persons in Holy Orders Deans Parsons Deacons Viccars Curates and their or any of their Substitutes doe within their respective Parishes Precincts and Places take an exact and true account and keep a register in writing of all & every person or persons married buried christened or borne in his or their respective Parishes or Precincts or in such common Burying-places as their respective Parishioners are usually buried in to which book or register the Collectors for the respective Parishes and Places and all other persons concerned shall have free accesse to view the same att all seasonable times without any fee or reward And if any such Parson or Minister shall refuse or neglect to keep a true register thereof as before is directed such Parson or other Minister soe offending shall forfeit the su[m]m of One hundred pounds to bee recovered by such person as shall sue for the same in any of his Majesties Courts of Record att Westminster by any action of Debt Bill Plaint or Information wherein noe Essoign Wager of Law or Protection shall bee allowed and wherein the Prosecutor shall recover his full Costs the moiety of which forfeiture shall bee to the use of the Kings Majestie his Heires and Successors and the other moiety to the persons who shall informe and sue for the same.