Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about information recorded on a marriage certificate. The complaint is late and there are no good reasons for us to exercise discretion to consider it now.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains about information a registrar recorded on a marriage certificate.
2. Ms X says this caused her partner to become stuck in legal proceedings abroad.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
4. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

5. I considered information provided by the complainant.
6. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

7. Ms X complained about information a registrar recorded on a marriage certificate in June 2022.
8. Ms X complained to the Ombudsman in July 2026 and said because of the alleged fault, her partner had been stuck in legal proceedings for two years.
9. As outlined in paragraph four, we cannot investigate late complaints without good reasons.
10. The available information suggests Ms X has been aware of the matter she complains about for more than 12 months. I have not seen any good reasons for us to exercise discretion to consider this complaint now and so we will not investigate.

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Final decision

11. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is late and there are no good reasons for us to exercise discretion to consider it now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman