Church Wedding or Civil Ceremony

If you prefer a church wedding ceremony then you first need to speak to the Vicar of the parish where you wish to marry. He will tell you if you are eligible to marry at the Church.

If he/she agrees, then you will be asked to attend on three Sundays before your wedding for the reading of the Banns or for the issue of a common license.

Once the marriage is registered by the Vicar at the Church,  it usually won't be necessary to contact the register Office about the marraige.

Register Office

If you wish to be married at a Register office,  you must first contact the Superintendant Registrar at the office where you wish to marry and check the availability of the time and date. Most offices will make a provisional booking for you and allow you sufficient time to give notice of marraige.

 Approved Venues

If you wish to marry at one of the approved premises in the UK,  you will first need to make arrangements with the venue concerned as well as arranging for the attendance of the local Registration Officers at your marraige.

 Documents you need:

Evidence of your name, age and marital status and nationality.

If you hold a full passport,  you should bring it with you when giving notice of marraige. A birth certificate is acceptable if a passport is not available. (if possible it should be a birth certificate issued at, or near to,  the time your birth was registered) You will be asked to produce a document confirming your name and current address e.g. household bill,  bank book, drivers license, pay slip,  benefits book. If you have been married before,  you will need to provide confirmation and evidence that you are free to remarry.

If you are divorced,  you will need to produce your 'decree absolute' with courts original seal. If your husband or wife died,  then you will need to produce a certified copy of the death certificate.

If you have changed your name by deed poll,  change of name deed or statutory declaration,  you will need to produce these documents also.

Under 18?

If either of you are under the age of 18,  you will probably require a written consent from your parents.

In all cases,  original documents are required,  not photocopies. Your Superintendant Registrar will give you advice if needed.

Cost at any Register Office

Total fees £103.50. This includes £30 each payable to the Superintendant registrar at time of notice of your marraige and £43.50 payable to the Registrar on the day of your wedding.

The fees for marraige ceremonies at other approved premises will be more expensive.

For exact details, contact your Registrar.