Giving notice of marriage
There are some things that you must do before the ceremony can take place. The rules vary according to the type of wedding you are planning.
Lewes register office, Southover Grange
Where you should give notice
Unless you are marrying in the Church of England or Church in Wales by Banns or Common Licence, you and your partner must go in person to a registration office in the district where you both live to give your notice of marriage. This notice is a legal document, and records details about yourself and where you intend to marry.
If you do not live in the district in which you intend to marry, you will also need to contact the registration office where you want to get married. You will need to book the date and time of your marriage, and meet with the Superintendant Registrar who will marry you.
Find contact details for registration offices.
When you should give notice
This has to be done at least 16 full days before the ceremony. Because notice must be given by each of you, no one else can go to the registration office to do this for you. You cannot do it by phone or in writing.
Most notices can be given up to 12 months in advance. Some districts restrict this period to a maximum of three months before the date of the wedding.
Documents you need to produce
When you give a notice of marriage you will need to show the superintendent registrar original or certified copies of the relevant documents. These might include:
- an identity document – birth certificate, adoption certificate or passport
- evidence of your nationality
- original identity documents if either of you has changed your name by Deed Poll, Change of Name Deed or Statutory Declaration
- if either of you is a widow or widower, a certified copy of your deceased partner's death certificate and possibly your marriage certificate
- if either of you is divorced, a court-stamped copy of the Decree Absolute or, if the divorce was in a foreign country, the original court document with, if necessary, an English translation
- if either of you is under 18 we will need proof that you have permission to marry. This will be given by your parents, guardians or the courts. You will need to talk to the superintendent registrar, who will be able to tell you more about this.
There are occasions when other documents are needed. If you think your circumstances are not straightforward, or have any other questions, you should contact the superintendent registrar at the registration office in the district where you live.
Further information
For more information about the different preparations you need to make for church, religious and civil ceremonies, visit the Marriage pages of the General Register Office website.
