Section 13:
Place and form of solemnization.
(1) A marriage by or before a Marriage Officer under this
Act shall be solemnized at the official house of the Marriage Officer with open doors between the
prescribed hours in the presence of at least three witnesses.
(2) The marriage may be solemnized in any form which the parties may choose to adopt:
Provided that it shall not be complete and binding on the parties unless each party declares to the
other in the presence of the Marriage Officer and the three witnesses and in any language understood by
the parties,-- "I, (A) take the (B), to be my lawful wife (or husband)":
Provided further that where the declaration referred to in the preceding proviso is made in any
language which is not understood by the Marriage Officer or by any of the witnesses, either of the parties
shall interpret or cause to be interpreted the declaration in a language which the Marriage Officer, or, as
the case may be, such witness understands.