Statutory and local requirements

Print all pages

---

You need to identify specific room(s) or linked outdoor area(s) where weddings and civil partnerships take place. The outdoor area must be within the grounds of the licensed built premises.

East Sussex Registration must be satisfied that the premises are ‘seemly and dignified’, with regard to their primary use, situation, construction, state of repair, and suitable for marriages and formation of civil partnerships. The premises must be regularly available for marriages and civil partnerships.

Statutory conditions

The statutory conditions of the approved marriage and civil partnership premises licence are documented in

• Annex A - Schedule 1 - Requirements for the grant of approval of premises that are not religious premises
• Annex C - Schedule 2 - Conditions to be attached to grants of approval of premises that are not religious premises
• Annex E - Schedule 2B - Regulation 6(1)(a)

These conditions will be attached to your licence as well as the following:

You must

1. Have all the necessary fire safety provisions required by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (https://www.esfrs.org/commercial-properties).
   • Fire Safety Guidance Notes for Licensed Premises
2. Have all the necessary health and safety provisions required by HSE (https://www.hse.gov.uk/). It is the licence holder's responsibility to ensure the health and safety of East Sussex County Council's staff and ceremony attendees throughout their visit.
3. Ensure that all linked outdoor areas to be licensed also adhere to the usual health and safety requirements (including any capacity approved through a fire risk assessment).
4. Ensure that no other activities take place in the linked outdoor area at the same time as a ceremony to ensure that such activities will not call into question the approval of the location as seemly and dignified.
5. Have public liability insurance throughout the licenced period.
6. Appoint a Responsible Person to make sure all terms and conditions of the licence are followed. In the absence of the Responsible Person, an appropriately qualified deputy will be available.
7. Provide the contact details of the Responsible Person as the main point of contact for East Sussex Registration.
8. Make sure your premises can be inspected by East Sussex Registration at reasonable times.

Ceremonies

1. Must only take place in the specified licensed areas.
2. Must not have any religious content (for example music, readings and rituals).
3. Must be accessible to the public.

The following additional licence conditions apply

They may be amended from time to time by East Sussex Registration.

1. Civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies must be conducted by East Sussex Registration.
2. Couples should be advised to contact East Sussex Registration as soon as they have made a provisional booking with their venue. East Sussex Registration will try to accommodate the time and date requested but may offer a suitable alternative.
3. The Responsible Person should notify attending registration staff of the fire evacuation procedures and how to call a First Aider.
4. The licensed room and linked outdoor areas must have suitable lighting.
5. The licensed room and linked outdoor area must have a minimum of one chair for the registrar, with a desk or table large enough to accommodate the marriage or civil partnership document.
6. The Responsible Person is available on the premises for a minimum of one hour prior to and present throughout the proceedings.
7. The number attending a ceremony must not exceed the agreed capacity, as shown on the venue licence certificate, supplied for display. This does not include East Sussex Registration and venue staff.
8. The ceremony must remain open to the public, as required by law.
9. Sources of ignition, such as candles are not permitted. Battery operated candles may be used.
10. The ceremony room and linked outdoor area to be used should be set up and ready at least one hour before the agreed start time for the ceremony.
11. Display the notice confirming the licence at public entrances for one hour before and during the ceremony. A notice must also be displayed at the entrance to any linked outdoor area.
12. No food or drinks are sold or consumed in the specified area one hour before and during the ceremony. Water is permitted.
13. Provide full access for those with disabilities. Where this is not possible, due to the age and construction of the building, this must be clearly communicated to couples intending to hold their ceremony on the premises.
14. Provide a separate room to be used for the pre-ceremony questioning of the couple by the Registrar. Bedrooms are not appropriate for this confidential process.
15. Provide clean and accessible toilet facilities for the use of the couple, any guests attending and registration staff.
16. The person or people booking the premises must be told about any accessibility limitations that could affect entering or moving around the venue. They must also be told of any limits on the size of the ceremony party, based on the ceremony room’s size and the maximum capacity on the licence.

Special licence conditions

ESCC reserves the right to apply special licence conditions, in addition to those set out above, to any licence at any time as it considers necessary.

The licence may be revoked if these requirements are not met.

Was this page helpful?

Click or tap the rating which best represents your experience.