Urgent ceremonies
If you need to get married or form a civil partnership urgently due to a serious illness you can apply for either a special licence or a reduction in the wating period. The options available are:
- Registrar General's Licence
- Reduction of the statutory waiting period - Waiver
Registrar General's Licence (RGL)
A Registrar General's Licence can be issued if one partner is seriously ill, not expected to recover, and unable to be moved to a register office or licenced venue. This licence allows the wedding or civil partnership to take place quickly, at the location of the ill person, by waiving the usual waiting period and the requirement to use a registered building. Evidence to support the request for an RGL will be required.
If you require an RGL please contact us as soon as possible.
- During business hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) 0345 60 80 198 or ceremonieshub@eastsussex.gov.uk
- For extreme emergencies outside of these hours, call 01273 337040
Please note these numbers are for ceremonies taking place within East Sussex, not including Brighton and Hove.
Reduction of the statutory waiting period - Waiver
After a couple gives notice a statutory waiting period of either 29 or 71 days (depending on immigration status) must pass before they can marry or form a civil partnership . In exceptional circumstances, the General Register Office can authorise a reduction of this waiting period. This is typically granted when one of the parties or a key person in the ceremony is seriously ill, and the standard waiting period would present a problem.
You can apply for a waiver when you give notice or at any time during the waiting period. Please be aware that you will need to provide evidence to support your application, and there is no guarantee that a waiver will be granted.
An application fee will be payable. If you believe you may need to apply for a waiver, please contact us as soon as possible.
Phone: 0345 60 80 198
