Civil Marriage Ceremonies - Giving Notice, Residency & Documentation
A civil marriage is a ceremony without any religious context. In England and Wales, it can take place at a register office or a venue that has been approved for civil marriages. Approved premises include some stately homes, hotels, restaurants and even zoos.
In Scotland, a civil marriage can take place at a register office or approved venue. A list of approved venues can be obtained from the General Register Office for Scotland.
Giving notice
It is a legal requirement to give notice of marriage and, once given, your notices of marriage are displayed on the notice board at the register office for a period of fifteen days.
After giving notice, you must then wait 15 clear days before the marriage can take place. Once given, your notice is valid for 12 months.
Special rules apply people from non UK countries and further information can be obtained from the Home Office Website.
Where to give notice
You both need to go to your local register office to give notice of your intention to marry. If you plan to marry in a different area, you should also contact the register office for the district in which the marriage is due to take place. This is because you will need to ensure that a Superintendent Registrar (to conduct the service) and a Registrar of Marriages (to record the details in the marriage register and issue your certificate) will be free to attend your chosen venue on the day.
You both must give notice of marriage in person to the Superintendent Registrar - no one else can do it on your behalf.
Residency requirements
You can get married in England and Wales as long as you have both lived in a registration district for at least seven days immediately before giving notice of marriage.
This applies to all couples, including those travelling from overseas to marry in England and Wales - except where one person gives notice under the Marriage of British Subjects (Facilities) Acts 1915 and 1916. A list of countries signed up to the British Subjects Facilities Acts, 1915 and 1916 can be found here.
Documentation required
You will need to show the superintendent registrar documentary evidence of your name, age and nationality – ideally in the form of your passport. You will also be asked to provide evidence of your address.
If you have been married or registered a civil partnership before, you will also need to produce documents that confirm that you are now free to marry. These could include:
• a divorce decree absolute or final order of civil partnership dissolution bearing the court's original stamp.
• the death certificate of your former husband, wife or civil partner.
Where you can marry?
A civil marriage ceremony can take place in any register office in England or Wales, or at any venue that has been approved to hold a civil marriage.
Adding personal touches
Strictly speaking, you are not allowed to include any religious content at a civil marriage ceremony, although these rules have recently been relaxed and most conventional themes can be catered for. You should check with the registrar for your district before making any definite arrangements as the interpretation of the rules can vary from district to district.
Don’t forget that you will need at least two people to witness the marriage and sign the marriage register.
