to marry in certain approved locations or at certain times and so they were the only groups who were (theoretically) allowed, for example, to marry outdoors or in the middle of the night (although in practice, Quaker marriages are performed in a place where there is a regular Meeting for Worship held and so they would not usually take place outside). The law with regard to Quaker weddings in England and Wales is based around Section 47 of the Marriage Act 1949 Marriages according to usages of the Society of Friends. Quaker marriages in England and Wales have two marriage certificates: The Quaker marriage certificate is a large document which sets out the couple's names, the procedure they have followed and the declarations made. It is signed by the couple and by all who were present at the meeting for worship for solemnisation of the marriage. This is a requirement of Britain Yearly Meeting and is kept by the couple but is not normally recognised by any organisation outside of the Religious Society of Friends. The Quaker civil marriage certificate is the certificate recognised by the government and also by institutions such as banks. It is completed by the Registering Officer of the Area Meeting in which the marriage is taking place, and it is signed by the couple and four witnesses. It is similar in format to the marriage certificate of the Church of England or a civil wedding although of a specific design stating that the marriage took place "according to the usages of the Society of Friends". Quakers decided to offer marriage on an equal basis to same-sex couples in 2009. Same-sex marriage was recognized in law in 2014 in England, Scotland and Wales. United States Law A governmental marriage license is not usually part of the ceremony and can be signed at a separate time if that is desired. In many areas, the license must be signed by an "officiant", which in most cases is one or more members of an oversight committee. In the District of Columbia and the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado, and California, self-uniting marriage licenses are available, which require only the signatures of the bride, the groom, and witnesses. Most, if not all, states provide by statute that a few members of the Meeting, who are duly appointed by name under its normal business procedure, are thereby legally competent to