From January 1st, 2001 there is only one type of Authority issued to allow a marriage to take place. For a Civil Marriage neither party has to live in the district where the marriage is going to take place. This page explains the procedure, lists documents to take to the Registrar and the current fees payable. The notice is a legal document which must be given and signed by the people getting married, so you cannot ask anyone else to give the notice on your behalf. You will need to make an appointment with your local Register Office to give your notice. Find out which is your local Register Office.
Superintendent Registrar's Certificate
The Marriage Act 1949 was amended on 1st January 2001 to introduce a revised system of civil preliminaries to marriage in England and Wales. This means that there is now only the following option available to obtain the Authority for the marriage to proceed.
Both the parties to the marriage must give separate notices of their intention to marry in person to the Superintendent Registrar in the District in which they live, even if they both live in the same District. A separate fee is payable for each notice, which is £30.
The person giving notice of marriage must have lived at an address in that District for a minimum of 7 days, with the notice being given on the 8th day (or after, but without the residency being broken).
At the time a Notice is given the other party to the marriage must also have a usual residence within England and Wales. (Contact a Register Office for further details if either party normally lives elsewhere).
A copy of the notice is displayed on notice boards within the Register Office where it was given. Provided there are no legal objections the Authority that allows the marriage to take place is then issued after 15 clear days.
The Authority is valid for a year from the date the notice is given. This basically means that your marriage can take place between 16 days and 1 year after the notice was given. Where notice is given on different dates in two different districts it is your responsibility to ensure that both Authorities for your marriage will be valid for the date of your wedding.
Documents you may need to take
Photocopies are not acceptable
- Each individual's passport
- Each individual's birth certificate
- Something showing a current address for each person, eg driving licence, bank statement, utility bill
- A court stamped original copy of the decree absolute if either party has been divorced. If the divorce did not take place in this country then it may have to be submitted to the Registrar General for verification. A literal translation should also be provided where the document is not in English, certified as an accurate translation by someone other then the parties to the marriage.
- The previous marriage certificate and late spouse's death certificate if either party has been widowed
- Any formal change of name document, eg Deed Poll, Statutory Declaration
Advice to foreign nationals
Where either, or both parties to the marriage are not of British Nationality, they should contact the relevant Embassy, or similar Authority, for advice before giving Notice of Marriage.
We would also suggest that they contact the Home Office here, where appropriate, as their circumstances are changing.
Marriage in this country, and even to a British Citizen, gives no automatic right to remain here.
Advice to those under 18 years of age
The minimum age for marriage in this country is 16 years. If either party is aged 16 or 17 they may need to provide proof of consent to the marriage - either from parent(s), guardian(s) or the Court(s). Please contact the Register Office for advice.
Current fees
The information in brackets indicates when the fee has to be paid:
Fees applicable from 1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009
- Each Notice of marriage (when giving notice) £30.00
- Marriage registration at a Register Office (on day of marriage) £40.00
- Marriage registration by Registrar at Church/Registered Building (on day of marriage) £47.00
- Marriage ceremony at an Approved Premise (will be requested in advance) Monday to Friday: £270
- Saturday: £350
- Sunday: £410
- Marriage certificate: £3.50
Copies of Marriage Certificates
If you would like extra copies of marriage certificate please download and complete the form and send with remittance of £7.00 to the Register Office where the marriage was registered. If you need the address of your local register office please click on this link: your local Register Office
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