Part 2Civil partnership: England and Wales
Chapter 1Registration
The special procedure
I125Issue of Registrar General’s licence
1
This section applies where a notice of proposed civil partnership is given to a registration authority under section 21.
2
The registration authority may issue a Registrar General’s licence if, and only if, given authority to do so by the Registrar General.
3
The Registrar General—
a
may not give his authority unless he is satisfied that one of the proposed civil partners is seriously ill and not expected to recover, but
b
if so satisfied, must give his authority unless a lawful impediment to the issue of his licence has been shown to his satisfaction to exist.
4
A licence under this section must state that it is issued on the authority of the Registrar General.
5
Regulations may (subject to subsection (4)) make provision as to the contents of a licence under this section.
6
If an objection has been made to the Registrar General giving authority for the issue of his licence, he is not to give that authority until—
a
he has investigated the objection and decided whether it ought to obstruct the issue of his licence, or
b
the objection has been withdrawn by the person who made it.
7
Any decision of the Registrar General under subsection (6)(a) is final.