The process starts on receipt of a fully completed application form which needs to be submitted with the appropriate fee to Lyneve Thyer, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Floor 4, Riverside Office, Temple Street, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 1LA (including three copies of a plan of the premises showing the room(s) in which it is intended that marriages/civil partnerships will take place).
Applicants are responsible for checking with the local planning authority whether their premises need additional planning permission for the purposes of holding civil ceremonies. If planning permission is required a copy of the relevant permission will need to be produced for inspection on application.
The premises will be inspected for suitability before approval is granted (usually by the Superintendent Registrar). Also the premises must satisfy the local authority on fire precautions and health and safety provisions, therefore, an inspection may be required by both the Fire Officer and an Environmental Health Officer.
A Public Notice will be displayed on the Council website to advise of the application with a 3 week period for anyone wishing to object to the granting of the proposed licence. If objections are submitted these have to be considered by the Authority and will be the subject of investigation. Applicants and objectors will be kept informed of any relevant decisions.
Approval, if granted, will be for a three year period (subject to revocation) and a renewal application can be submitted anytime during the last year of the current licence (preferably at least 3 months before the expiry date of the existing licence).
If successful, the applicant will be the holder of the approval. Any change on ownership of the premises will also change the holder of the approval. Details of any such change and any change to the premises or responsible person must be notified to the Authority as soon as possible.
All applications, providing they meet the laid down application criteria, will be processed. If after due process, the Authority is not able to grant the licence, no refund of the fee will be made.
If an additional room(s) to an existing approval is added during the three year period applicants must treat this as a new licence application (new fee) or opt for an early renewal where additional rooms can be added (reduced renewal rate).
For information regarding the Renewal of a Licence please click on the highlighted link.
To check on applications currently serving their period of public notice please click on the highlighted link.