Marriages
Where you can marry
Register Offices and Approved Premises
If you would like to take a virtual tour of the
beautiful Guildhall please click on the highlighted
link.
You may have a civil marriage in any Register Office or
Approved Premises in
England or Wales. You must give notice of your intention to
marry in your local Register Office, in the Registration
District in which you have been living for the
preceding EIGHT days.
PLEASE NOTE, if you are not a citizen of the United Kingdom or
European Union YOU WILL HAVE TO OBTAIN HOME OFFICE PERMISSION TO
MARRY. If you are resident abroad you may obtain a "fiance's visa"
before travelling to the UK. For more information visit the
Home Office
website or contact them at indpublicenquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Churches, Chapels and other Religious buildings
Church of England Churches
You MUST either live in the parish, or be on the Church
Electoral Roll. Obviously you must get the permission of the Vicar.
You may get married by banns - see the Vicar, or Superintendent
Registrar's Certificate.
Other Churches, Chapels or Religious
Buildings
You may marry in any of these in the Registration District in
which you live. Obviously you must obtain the permission of the
Minister, Priest etc. You must give notice of your intention to
marry in your local Register Office -
Legal Preliminaries
You must give formal notice of your intention to marry. This has
to be done at least 15 clear days before you can marry.
You both must have lived in a district in England or Wales
for EIGHT days before giving notice of marriage.
Before you give notice you must be free legally to marry. You
can not give notice before your divorce is made absolute.
You will need to take a passport and Birth Certificate, any
change of name documents and and a Decree Absolute or Death
Certificate if applicable.
We will also require some proof of address preferably a
utilities or council tax bill.
If you have mislaid your decree absolute you can obtain a new
copy from the County Court where your absolute was issued. Failing
that, the Divorce Registry in London should be able to help.
Tel: 0207 947 7013
Please be aware that there is a statutory fee of £30 each
payable to your local Register Office for giving your
notice of marriage.
Who can marry
Marriage is a legally binding contract between a man and a
woman.
You must be over 18 years of age, or 16 years with the
written consent of your parents or legal guardian.
Relate offer couple counselling to
people of all faiths. Please click on the highlighted link to
access their website.
If you need to contact someone with regard to arranging an
urgent marriage please click on the highlighted
link.
