Registering a marriage or civil partnership

There has never been more choice about where to get married, with many approved premises now offering alternatives to the traditional church or register office wedding. But there are legal requirements which must be observed, wherever you marry.

Notice of marriage

Before you can marry in a register office, approved premises, chapel or church (except Anglican) in England and Wales both parties must give notice of their intention to marry.

This has to be done in person at the register office covering the district of residence. If you live in Shropshire this means you can visit the most convenient registration service point (see the link on this page for a full list). An appointment can be made by contacting 0345 678 9016 (via Customer Service Centre) on Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 4.45pm.

The notices, which can be given up to a year in advance of the wedding date, are a legal statement which both parties must sign separately.

Is there a charge for giving notice?

The current fee for this service is £30 per person. This fee will increase to £33.50 per person from 6th April 2010.

Before you can give notice of marriage you must meet certain conditions:

• You must have lived in any district of England and Wales for seven days before the date you give notice, and notice must be given in the district of residence. It does not matter if either of you moves to a different address once you have given notice.
• Once you have given notice, you must wait 15 clear days before the marriage can take place. The notice is publicly displayed in the register office for this period.
• You must provide proof of identity (birth certificates or passports are ideal, but the registrar can advise you on what else is acceptable.)
• If either of you has been married before, either in Britain or abroad, you will need to show proof of your divorce.
• If either of you is a widow or widower, you will need to provide a certified copy of your former partner's death certificate.
• If either of you is under 18, you must produce proof that your parents or guardian agree to the marriage.
• If you have already married each other in a foreign country and wish to marry here because you doubt the legality of the wedding, you must produce any documents issued in the country in which the ceremony took place.
• If you are a foreign national, you should ring the superintendent registrar for further information on 0345 678 9016 (via Customer Service Centre).

Issuing an authority

An authority must be issued for each person after the 15 clear days have elapsed. These are the legal documents allowing the marriage to take place. Authorities are valid for 12 months from the date you give notice.

If you marry outside the district where you have given notice, the authorities must be collected. They must be given to the Superintendent Registrar of the district or the minister of the church where the marriage is to take place.

Getting married in a church or other place of worship

If you are getting married in any religious building, apart from an Anglican or Church of Wales church, you must still give notice in the district in which you live, which, if you are in Shropshire may be any one of the 13 Registration Service Points across the county.

You can only marry in church in a different district to where either of you lives if one of you usually worships in that building. You can marry in another district if there is no building of your religion where you, or the person you are marrying, lives.

A registrar from the district covering the building must be present at the wedding. In many cases, the governing body of the religious building may choose someone to register the marriage instead of the registrar.

Civil marriages

Civil marriages can take place in register officers or other premises approved by local authorities as suitable venues.

These can include restaurants, hotels and even castles. Please follow the Approved venues for civil ceremonies link for an up-to-date list.

Please note that marriage ceremonies cannot take place outdoors or in temporary or moveable structures such as marquees or boats.

To arrange a wedding at an approved venue, you must first make provisional arrangements with the venue then contact the Registration Service on 0345 678 9016 (via Customer Service Centre).

You must still give notice in the district/s where you live, and you will have to give your marriage authorities to the registrar in the district where you are getting married.

Useful links page

Please follow the link below to access the websites of a number of external organisations relating to civil partnerships and marriages.

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