Cap. 255 Art. 22Transcription of act of marriage.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in the Civil Code relative to the procedure whereby, and the term in which, an act of marriage is to be registered, the Parish Priest referred to in article 21(2)(b), shall transmit to the Public Registry the act of marriage therein referred to for registration within five working days of the celebration of the marriage.

(2) Failure to transmit the act of marriage for registration as is provided for in sub-article (1) shall not be an obstacle to such transmission after the lapse of such term. Either spouse may at all times demand that such transmission be effected by the Parish Priest who shall remain at all times obliged to effect such transmission.

(3) When the act of marriage has been transmitted to the Public Registry, the Director of the Public Registry shall ascertain that the provisions of article 21 apply to the marriage, and upon having so ascertained he shall register the act which shall be deemed for all effects at law to be an act of marriage referred to in article 12. Upon registration of the act of marriage the Director of the Public Registry shall, as soon as may be, give notice of such registration to the Parish Priest transmitting the act of marriage.

(4) A marriage which is recognised in accordance with article 21 shall upon transmission and registration of the act of marriage be recognised as from the moment of its celebration. Such recognition shall not, however, prejudice any property rights lawfully acquired by third parties in good faith before the transmission of the act of marriage as aforesaid in this article, where such act of marriage is transmitted after the expiry of the term referred to in sub-article (1) hereof.