Marriage

Where is the marriage to take place?

If both persons live in the Westminster district notice of intention to marry must be given, by both persons. This can be done together or separately but the marriage can only take place a minimum of 15 clear days from the giving of the last notice. At the time of giving notice a date and time will be arranged. However, the marriage must take place within one year of giving the first notice.

If one person lives in Westminster and the other lives in another district in England and Wales, notice of marriage must be given in both districts of residence. It is usual for the notice to be given first in the district where the marriage is to take place and this will secure a date and time. A notice must also be given in the other district, usually within a month of the first notice being given. There is a minimum of 15 clear days waiting period, from the date of the second notice being given, before the marriage can take place and a document from the other district must be presented in Westminster prior to the marriage. The marriage must take place within one year of giving the first notice.

If neither person lives in Westminster it is advisable to first make a provisional booking with the Westminster office to secure the date and time. Notice is then given in the district or districts of residence of the parties to the marriage.

Another Register Office in England or Wales

It is advisable to first make a provisional booking with the office in which you want to get married. You then need to give notice of your intention to get married in the district where you live.

If you live in different districts notice of marriage must be given in both districts of residence. There is a minimum of 15 clear days waiting period, from the date of the second notice being given, before the marriage can take place and a document from both districts must be presented to the office where you are getting married prior to the marriage. The marriage must take place within one year of giving the first notice.

Approved Premises

Local Authorities are now able to licence other places for civil marriages as long as they are suitable. These places are called Approved Premises. This means it is now possible for civil weddings to take place in hotels, stately homes and other historic buildings as long as the venue has been licensed. A full list of all Approved Premises in England and Wales can be obtained from the General Register Office on payment of a fee of £5. However, a list of local venues is normally available free of charge from the Register Office.

Couples can be married in any Approved Premises in any district in England and Wales. Notice of marriage still has to be given in the district or districts in which the couple live. The marriage authorities, have to be presented to the register office in which the Approved Premises is located before the marriage can take place. However, if the couple do not live in the district in which the Approved Premises is situated a provisional booking should always be made with the local register office. The marriage must take place within one year of the first notice being given.

It is important to remember that marriage in Approved Premises only exists for civil marriage and does not apply to any type of religious ceremony.

At Home

Persons of the Jewish religion are able to marry in a private house, hotel or even outside in a garden as long as the marriage is to be conducted according to Jewish religious rites and both parties are of the Jewish faith. The marriage can take place at any time and does not have to be within the usual hours for marriage which are 8am and 6pm. Notice of marriage must be given by both parties in their district/s of residence and the marriage can take place a minimum of 15 clear days from the date of giving the later notice. The marriage must take place within one year of giving the first notice.

A person who is housebound is able to marry in their own home or in a hospital. A doctor must be prepared to sign a statement, in prescribed form, that the person is not able to be moved to a place normally registered for marriage and that is likely to be the case for three months. This statement form, Form 40, can be obtained from your local Register Office and must be signed not more than 14 days before giving the notice. Notice of marriage must be given in the district/s of residence of both parties. In the case of the housebound person the notice will have to be taken at home. This will attract an additional statutory fee on top of the usual notice fee. The marriage can take place a minimum of 15 days from the date of giving the later notice. The marriage must take place within 3 months of giving the first notice.

A person who is terminally ill is able to marry in a house or hospital. In these circumstances a doctor must sign a letter confirming that he/she is in medical attendance on the person and the person is terminally ill and not expected to recover. The letter must also state that the person cannot be moved to a place where marriages could normally take place and can fully understand the importance of the marriage ceremony. The marriage can take place once the Registrar General has issued the licence for the marriage. This process can be almost immediate and is often on the same day that the arrangements are made. The marriage must take place within one month of giving the notice. Only one notice is given under these circumstances and it is always given in the district in which the marriage is to take place.

In a place of Worship

Before arranging a religious marriage, you will need to have talked to the authorities at your place of worship.

If you intend to marry in the Church of England it is unlikely that you need the information on this page and we suggest that you telephone the Church of England Faculty Office on 020 7222 5381

In most other instances you will need to give notice of your intention to get married. This happens in the district where you live. Each party to the marriage must give their own Notice.

If you live in different districts, notice of marriage must be given in both districts of residence. There is a minimum of 15 clear days waiting period, from the date of the second notice being given, before the marriage can take place and a document from both districts must be presented to the person performing the ceremony, prior to the marriage. The marriage must take place within one year of giving the first notice.

You may be required to have a Registrar present to register your marriage.

The religious authorities should give all these details to you.

If you are in any doubt, please telephone the Register Office on 020 7641 1161.

In Prison

A marriage can take place in a prison as long as the Prison authorities agree that the marriage can be performed there. This agreement must be in the form of a statement, in the prescribed form, that must be signed by the Prison Governor not more than 21 days before giving the notice of marriage. A notice must be given by the person in prison to the local registrar. The registrar will be required to visit the prison in order to take the notice and this visit will attract an additional statutory fee. The other party to the marriage will also have to give a notice to the registrar of the district in which they live. The marriage, which can be civil or religious, can take place 15 clear days after the giving of the later notice. The marriage must take place within 3 months of giving the first notice.

In another country

Notice of marriage can be given in the district/s where a couple live if the marriage is taking place in another country. However, this facility exists only in certain circumstances. If a British subject is getting married to a foreign national in a foreign country notice can be given under the provisions of the Marriage with Foreigners Act. This facility requires the British subject to give notice of marriage in the district, in England and Wales, in which they have lived for three weeks before giving the notice. Only one notice of marriage is given and the certificate of no impediment can be issued 21 clear days after the notice. In circumstances where two British subjects are getting married in a foreign country and both live in England and Wales notice of marriage must be given by both parties in the district/s in which they have lived for the 7 days before giving the notice. The informal certificates of no impediment can be issued 15 clear days from the date on which the notices were given. There is no facility for giving notice of marriage in circumstances where two British subjects are getting married in a British Commonwealth country. If you are not sure whether you are able to give legal notice of marriage or your circumstances are different from those outlined above you should phone the Register Office for information.