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New laws to crack down on 'sham marriages'

Registrars can block a marriage if they suspect it is designed to gain residency
Registrars can block a marriage if they suspect it is designed to gain residency

The Cabinet has approved new legislation to crack down on "sham marriages".

An amendment to the Civil Registration Act [2004] will give registrars the power to block a marriage if they suspect it is for the purpose of one of the parties gaining an automatic right of residency.

Another key provision of the bill is the compulsory registration of the father's name on birth certificates.