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SINGAPORE: Marriage solemnizations during the COVID-19 pandemic can now be carried out remotely, after new legislation was passed in Parliament on Tuesday (May 5).
According to Draft Law COVID-19 (Temporary Measures for the Solemnization and Registration of Marriages), civil and Muslim marriage solemnizations, as well as registrations, can be carried out remotely during the COVID-19 period.
The bill was introduced in Parliament on Monday and passed on Tuesday.
The new law could take effect from the second half of this month, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said in a press release.
While the temporary measures are in force, there would be no need for the couple, witnesses, wali and the licensed solemniser, kadi or naib kadi to be physically present at the site of the solemnization, Minister of Social and Family Development Desmond Lee said in Parliament .
He added that certain “key processes” related to marriage, which currently must be done in person, can be done through a video link and would be equally valid under the law.
“While some couples prefer to wait until it is safer to celebrate their big day in person with family and friends, others may not want to wait any longer or may face mitigating circumstances that make procrastination difficult. We want to support them.” Lee explained.
SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE
At the same time, there will be “safeguards” to ensure that only legitimate marriages are solemnized and recorded through the video link, Lee said.
On the one hand, the Marriage Registrars (ROM) and the Muslim Marriage Registry (ROMM) will have the discretion for each marriage application to decide whether the video link can be used for verification and legal declarations, as well as solemnizations married.
“This enables Registrars to ensure that cases requiring more careful scrutiny are still handled in person, when it is safe to do so,” said Lee.
The couple, their witnesses and, in the case of Muslim marriages, the wali, must be physically present in Singapore, he added.
Couples who submit documents issued abroad for verification will still have to physically do so, Lee said. This will guarantee a “greater scrutiny” of the veracity of the documents and the identity of the parties.
For starters, priority would be given to video link processes for marriages involving at least one Singapore citizen or permanent resident, Mr. Lee said.
Last month, MSF and ROMM said solemnizations scheduled between the initial breaker period of April 7 to May 4 would have to be postponed, and appeals would be heard on a case-by-case basis. The circuit breaker period has been extended for four weeks until June 1.
Responding to a question from Member of Parliament Intan Azura Mokhtar, who asked about the number of civil and Muslim marriages that were postponed due to circuit breaker measures, Lee said that between April 7 and June 1, a total of 2,723 solemn marriages were originally scheduled
1,100 civil marriages and about 200 Muslim marriages have been postponed so far, and most of the remaining marriages would also have to be postponed if there was no video link option, Lee said.
“I would like to thank these couples for their patience and understanding during these difficult times,” said Lee.
“Uncertainty is not easy to deal with, especially for important life events like getting married and raising a family.”
Dr. Intan also asked if licensed solemnis would receive training to help them carry out the duty of solemnizing civil marriages through a video link.
In fact, since this is a new process, it is important to make sure that the solemnisers feel comfortable and safe when performing the solemnization through the video link, and to make sure that the process is done correctly for the solemnisation to be valid “Mr. Lee replied.
“ROM will provide a set of guidelines and a basic training video to all licensed solemnists called to solemnize marriages via the video link. They can also approach ROM if they have any questions.”
Solemnisers for Muslim marriages will also be trained accordingly, he said. Minister in charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zukifli.
“ROMM will train kadis and naib kadi to ensure they can use remote technology during this period,” said Masagos.
He added that adaptations to the way Muslim marriages are conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic does not mean that religious imperatives are not observed.
Under the new law, for civil marriages, couples will also have 12 months to marry after filing a marriage notification, instead of the current three months. This will help couples cope with the “uncertainty” that arises from the COVID-19 situation, Lee said.
“We hope that the extension of the validity of the marriage license allows couples more flexibility in planning the solemnization date of their marriage, as well as reducing the administrative burden,” he added.
In response to a question from MP Christopher De Souza, Mr. Lee said couples would be allowed to submit requests to the Registrar to cancel their marriage notification if there were valid reasons to do so, such as the need to postpone their marriage until much longer. late. .
“Each cancellation request will be reviewed by the Registrar, before the Registrar cancels the notice. I would like to assure Members that the Registrar will not allow frivolous requests to cancel marriage notices,” said Mr. Lee.
The measures under the new law will apply and last until the COVID-19 pandemic improves, Lee stressed. If these temporary measures proved to be well received by couples and there was no commitment to the integrity of the marriage process, there is a possibility of extending this option beyond the COVID-19 period, he added.
“It is important during these difficult times that we make sure that Singaporeans can get on with their lives, especially for key life events like marriage,” said Lee.
“This bill ensures that couples can continue to marry and embark on a new stage of life together, taking advantage of technology and taking the necessary precautions.”
