Application to become exempt religious body

1 A religious body (other than the religious body to which section 32 applies) may apply to the Registrar-General for an exemption from observing the requirements of this Part relating to the solemnisation of marriages in the presence of a marriage celebrant. 2 An application made under subsection (1) must be accompanied by— a a statement setting out— i the beliefs and objects of the organisation; and ii the number or, if this cannot be accurately ascertained, the approximate number of members of the organisation of or over 18 years; and b a statement explaining why the objects and beliefs of the religious body are inconsistent with those provisions of this Part relating to the solemnisation of marriages in the presence of a marriage celebrant; and c a statement containing a description of the rules and procedures by which the body proposes to solemnise marriages. 3 The statement referred to in subsection (2)(a) must be— a signed by the persons specified in subsection (4), each of whom must state his or her age and address; or b approved electronically by, or on behalf of, the persons specified in subsection (4) in a manner specified by the Registrar-General ( see also section 128 of the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021 ). 4 The persons are— a the chief office bearer and at least 10 members of the religious body who are of or over the age of 18; or b in the case of a religious body whose rules and procedures or tenets do not recognise a chief office bearer, at least 10 members of the organisation who are of or over the age of 18. 5 Another person must verify, either electronically in a manner specified by the Registrar-General or by statutory declaration, that the signatories to an application signed under subsection (3)(a) are who they claim to be and are members of the body ( see also section 128 of the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021 ).