Religious ceremonies
Marrying within the Church of England
If you are getting married in the Church of England, you must follow the religious preliminaries, this involves the reading of the Banns. Speak to the vicar to organise this.
However, if either you or your partner is a foreign national, subject to immigration control you will be required to give notice at your local register office, as per the civil preliminaries.
Marrying in any other church or religious building
If you are getting married in any other religious building, you are required to give notice at your local register office, as per the civil preliminaries.
Attendance of a registrar
If your church does not have an 'Authorised Person' to legally register your marriage, a registrar from that district must attend the ceremony. Please speak with your religious officiant to confirm if this is necessary. A fee is payable for the registrar's attendance.
To book a registrar for your church ceremony in East Sussex, call the Ceremonies Hub on 0345 60 80 198.
Marriage certificates
Marriage certificates are not issued on the day of your ceremony. You can order marriage certificates online either before or after the event. A fee is payable for each certificate.
We can only issue your certificates once we have received the signed document from your vicar or religious officiant, which should be sent to the register office within 21 days of your ceremony. Once we have both the document and payment, your certificates will be posted to you.
