Criminal records to be checked for those under 18 wishing to get married

With a new law of the Family Court which came into effect yesterday, people below 18 years of age are now required to submit police reports and criminal records along with their marriage documents.

Registrar of the Section for Marriage of the Family Court, Ahmed Abdullah said today that this requirement did not exist prior to today. The enforcement of such a requirement is now necessary in order to protect girls, in the today’s situation where several boys below 18 who submit marriage documents are dangerous criminals.

“We decided to implement this rule because it has been noted that several boys who submit application forms for marriage belong to various criminal groups in Male’, and hold criminal records. It is to protect girls from them,” Ahmed Abdulla said.

The law which came into effect yesterday states that if a person below the age of 18 submits the application forms for marriage, he will also need to submit a doctor’s report regarding his mental and physical health and indicate reasons for his wish to get married. Also, checks will be made regarding his parents’ statements at the Court, police reports and criminal records.

The law also indicates that after checking that the agreement thus made complies with the Islamic Shariah, laws and regulations, the decision regarding whether to proceed with the marriage or not, remains with the Registrar of the Court.