As a matter of religion the people of Argentina may consider marriage as a sacrament or divine ordinance, or not, as it pleases their consciences, but as a matter of law marriage in the Argentine Republic is simply a civil contract.
Essentials of Marriage.—For the validity of marriage there must be the consent of two contracting parties declared before the public official in charge of the civil register. The contract can be declared by proxy, but only with a special authorization from the principal, in which the person with whom the proxy has to conclude the marriage is clearly described.
Impediments.—The existence of any of the following conditions make a marriage unlawful:
1. Consanguinity between ascendants and descendants without limitation, whether legitimate or illegitimate.
2. Consanguinity between brothers and sisters and half brothers and sisters, legitimate or illegitimate.
3. Affinity in the direct line in all degrees.
4. The woman not being twelve and the man fourteen years of age.
5. The existence of a previous marriage.
6. Where one of the parties has been voluntarily the author of, or the accomplice in the death of, the former husband or wife of the other.
7. Insanity.