Giving Notice of Marriage or Civil Partnership

For a Civil ceremony in a Register Office or Approved Building licensed for marriages:

What is a Notice of Marriage?

This involves the completion of official forms before the Superintendent Registrar.

It is a legal requirement that notice of marriage is given separately by each person to be married. The Notice must be given personally to the Superintendent Registrar of the District where the couple usually reside, preferably on the same day.

What conditions must I satisfy before notice of marriage can be given?

• Residential Qualification-
  Each party must have been living in a Registration District, in England or Wales, for 7 consecutive days immediately preceding giving notice. If one party resides elsewhere in England or Wales, for at least 7 days, a similar notice must be entered at the Register Office for the other District.
• Documents to be produced-
  You are required to produce evidence to the Superintendent Registrar of your age, identity, nationality and marital status. Please see the section on ‘Documents to be produced’
• Notice Period and Authorities-
  Once the notices are given a minimum of 15 clear days must elapse before the marriage can take place. So if notice of marriage was given on 1st June the marriage could take place at the earliest on the 17th June. After the 15 clear days are completed, authorities must be issued by the Superintendent Registrar to each of the parties before the marriage can take place.

How soon can I book my wedding?

Up to one year ahead of your wedding date. Notices of marriage are valid for one year and couples will be expected to give their notices as soon as it is legally possible in order to secure a booking.

Booking the Registrars

If you intend to marry in a Register Office or Approved Building within England or Wales, outside your district(s) of residence, then you must book the officiating Superintendent of that District before notices of marriage are entered at your local Register Office. This is to ensure the availability of Registrars.

Approved Venues

A marriage contracted in an Approved Building (e.g. stately home, hotel, castle etc) is only lawful if the building has been granted a licence by the local authority. Licences are only valid for three years. You must ensure, therefore, that the Approved Building has a licence that is still valid on the day of your marriage.

In addition you should book the officiating Superintendent Registrar first before you book with the Approved Building.

Documents to be produced at the time of giving notice

• All persons are required to produce a current, valid passport.  If you do not have a passport you will need to produce a full birth certificate and two other forms of identity which are acceptable (a full driving licence, rent or council tax document, utility bill or National Health Service medical card.)
• Persons from abroad are required to produce identity documents e.g. passport, identity card, Home Office travel document.  The requirements for giving notice of marriage in certain circumstances have changed.  Before making arrangements to give notice of marriage, if you have any doubt regarding your nationality or immigration status please contact the Home Office on 0870 606 7766. For more information for persons subject to immigration Control please see our downloadable brochure on the link below
• Persons under 18 years of age must submit written consent from the appropriate parent / guardian / authority. The Superintendent Registrar has forms for this purpose.
• Widowers or widows are required to produce proof of death of their former spouse e.g. death certificate certified by a Registrar.
• Divorced persons are required to produce a decree absolute bearing an original court seal. If the divorce took place in a foreign country, the original document should be produced and if applicable an English translation. Some foreign divorces require clearance from the Registrar General and the Superintendent Registrar can arrange this.
• If a name has been changed by deed poll or statutory declaration, then these should be produced.

Please Note :The Registrar cannot accept photocopies of any documents.

Related Documents

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