Notice deadline and validity
When to give notice
Before giving notice, you must both have established a residence at an address in England or Wales for at least 7 consecutive days immediately prior to giving notice (not including the first day you start living at the address or the day you give notice).
Residency requirements include residing within one location for those seven days. If you are travelling from abroad to establish residency so that you can attend your notice appointment, or if you are unsure as to what this means, or what documents you will need to provide, please contact us in advance to check that you will be able to fulfil these requirements.
You must both give notice at least 29 days before the ceremony. In certain cases, depending on your immigration status, this may be extended to 71 days.
We advise you give notice at least three months prior to your ceremony, where possible.
Validity of notice
Your notice of marriage or civil partnership will be valid for 12 months from the date you give notice.
The notice is only valid for the ceremony location, the venue or register office, that you state at the time of giving notice. Therefore, if you subsequently decide to change the venue, you’ll need to give a new notice and complete the notice period of 29 to 71 days again. You cannot give notice without having decided on a venue so make sure you know where you are having the ceremony before you attend the appointment.