SINGAPORE: From September 1, minor couples must undergo marriage preparation programmes before a marriage licence can be issued; and persons remarrying have to declare their maintenance arrears.
The new requirements follow changes made to the Women's Charter in January this year.
The new requirement
for minor couples is in addition to the current condition for them to
obtain parental consent. It applies where one or both of the marrying
parties are Singapore citizens or permanent residents below 18 years or
where both parties are aged 18 and above but below 21.
A media
release from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports
(MCYS) on Monday said the requirement is to help young couples better
prepare for marriage and reduce the risk of divorce.
Minor
couples marrying under the Administration of Muslim Law Act are not
affected by this new requirement as they are already required to attend
marriage preparation programmes.
Also starting from Thursday,
persons who remarry will be required to make a statutory declaration on
whether they have maintenance orders and any arrears. The existence of
maintenance orders or debts will not affect the rights of a person to
remarry.
The purpose of the declaration is to remind a remarrying
party of his/her maintenance obligations and for the potential spouse
to be aware of the existing financial obligations.
Persons
remarrying under the Women's Charter or the Administration of Muslim Law
Act will also be required to make this declaration.
-CNA/ac