Skip to main content

Giving notice to marry or form a civil partnership

You will need to book an appointment to declare that you intend to marry or form a civil partnership.

Foreign nationals

If either you or your partner are not relevant nationals, you must give notice together at the register office in the borough or district in which one of you resides.

A relevant national is someone who is either British, Irish, or has either pre-settled status, settled status, or is awaiting the outcome of their EUSS application.

However, if you are both exempt from immigration controls in the UK (for example, you have right of abode, diplomatic status or are serving in HM Forces), you must give notice at your local register office. You must both make a declaration of your immigration status at the time of giving notice.

Please note that the law regarding where you can give notice is changing on 1 July 2021. Please visit Gov.uk before booking your appointment to make sure that you are eligible to book your notice appointment here in Westminster.

If either of you has a limited visa (for example, a work, student or tourist visa), you will automatically be referred to the Home Office for further investigation, which may result in your notice period being extended to 71 days.

It is strongly recommended that non-relevant nationals who are subject to immigration control and are planning to enter the UK to get married, first obtain a marriage or civil partnership entry clearance visa before travelling. The visa is valid for 6 months and can be used for the giving of your notices and for the ceremony itself.

If you don't have the correct visa, it may be harder to enter the country when you arrive in the UK for the ceremony.

Further details can be found at GOV.UK.

Published: 3 December 2020

Last updated: 11 March 2024