Giving notice

Hi,
Can anyone explain why when giving notice at a designated register office there is a waiting period of 15 days?

Thanks.

Simply this, after the Notice of Intention to Marry is given it is publicly displayed for the 15 day period. Anyone is entitled to go to the Register Office to read those notices, and if someone thinks there is someone trying to get married who is already legally married then they can file the appropriate notice.

In practice such notices of objection are filed very rarely but it is nevertheless considered to be an important safeguard in the system.