Registration of buildings for worship

Registering a building for worship

A congregation may apply to officially register their building of worship with their local registration office. Registering your building may offer tax advantages, and the opportunity to register it as a venue for marriage ceremonies.

The minister, proprietor or trustee of the building must fill out two copies of Form 76 (available from your local registration office). They must also attach:

• a floor plan of the building showing all rooms, doorways, floors and staircases
• a timetable showing average weekly use of the building, including any activities not run by the congregation
• a cheque for the application fee of £28, made payable to East Sussex County Council.

Find your local registration office.

Registering a building of worship as a place of marriage

Once you have registered a building as a place of worship, you may also apply to register it as a marriage venue. If you haven’t registered the building as a place of worship yet, you may make both applications at the same time.

You need to complete Form 78 to register your building of worship as a marriage venue. This is available from your local registration office. At least 20 members of your congregation, who must also be householders, should sign the form to say they wish the building to be used for marriage ceremonies. A householder is any person who resides at an address and has either sole or joint responsibility for that household. The form must also be signed by the proprietor or trustee of the building.

Return your completed from, with a cheque for £120 made payable to East Sussex County Council, to your local registration office.

Further information is available about licensing a building for civil marriage ceremonies.

If you no longer use the building for worship

If you no longer use the building for worship, you must register this change with your local registration office. To do this complete Form 77 (available from a registration office) and return it to the registration office.

Contact details for registration offices

Full contact details for registration offices in East Sussex.