Marriage procedure Each party to the marriage must provide the marriage officer with his or her South African identity document or an affidavit detailing his or her identity. Since 1970, it has not been necessary to publish banns or obtain a licence, but anyone objecting to a marriage may submit an objection in writing with the marriage officer. If there is an objection, the officer must investigate it and decide whether or not the marriage would be lawful. A marriage may be performed at any time, but a marriage officer may refuse to do so before eight in the morning or after four in the afternoon. Marriages may only be performed in religious buildings, government offices, or private homes; in all cases the doors of the building must be open. Other locations may be used if one of the parties is seriously ill or injured. Two witnesses must be present. Proxy marriages are not permitted. The act prescribes a marriage formula to be spoken by the officer, unless their religion prescribes another formula. The officer asks each of the parties: When each of them has answered "Yes," and have joined hands, the official announces: The officer, the spouses and the witnesses then sign the marriage register, which is sent to the Department of Home Affairs to be recorded. A marriage officer may not demand any payment for performing a marriage, but a religious clergyman may accept a fee for blessing the marriage. Marriageable age A person under the age of majority, which was reduced from 21 to 18 by the Children's Act, 2005, cannot marry without the consent of his or her parents or legal guardian. If there are no parents or guardian or for some reason they cannot give consent, a magistrate (acting as a commissioner of child welfare) may grant consent. If the parent, guardian or magistrate refuses consent, a judge of the High Court may grant consent if it is in the interests of the minor. Further to the requirement for parental consent, no boy under 18 or girl under 15 can marry without the special consent of the Minister of Home Affairs (or an official authorised to act on behalf of the Minister). (This discrimination on the basis of sex predates the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and may be unconstitutional but has not yet been challenged.) Offences and penalties A marriage officer who