Civil Ceremonies
You can have a civil ceremony in any register office or at any venue of your choice which has been approved to hold civil weddings. There is a vast choice of registered venues available such as hotels, restaurants, stately homes, National Trust & Heritage buildings, Tourist Attraction sites, etc.
If you wish to apply for a temporary approval for a civil marriage to be conducted at a place of your own choice, this could even be your own home, you should contact the local authority who will advise you about the fee and the application procedure.
Click on the links below for list of register offices and approved venues. You'll also find some approved venues in our Suppliers Directory.
How To Arrange A Civil Ceremony
You both need to contact your local register office to register your intention to marry (give notice). If your wedding is going to take place in a different area, you also need to contact the register office for the district where the marriage is to take place, to register your intention to marry. If you are going to have the ceremony at an approved building, you also need to ensure that a registrar of marriages will be free on your preferred date at your chosen venue.
You need to show documentary evidence of your:
 name age
nationality (ideally in the form of your passport)
You will also be asked to provide evidence of your address and evidence of the ending of any previous marriage or civil partnership.
What is a notice of marriage?
It is a legal requirement to give notice of marriage and, once given, your notice of marriage is displayed on the notice board at the register office for a period of fifteen clear days. Your notice of marriage is valid for 12 months.
A notice of marriage is a legal document required by the Marriage Act 1949 and states for each person:
name and surname
 age condition
address
occupation
nationality
intended marriage venue
When To Give Notice
You can give notice up to 12 months before your intended date - minimum notice is 15 days.
Please note: You need to ensure you give plenty of time to book a registrar for an approved venue. If you leave it until the last minute you might risk having to postpone your wedding if the Registrar is not available on your chosen date. Phone your local Register Office who will advise you on the best time to give notice.
How much will it cost?
Prices correct for 2007 - please check with your register office for any changes
Marriage Fees
To give notice (in advance) of your ceremony: £30 per person (£26 per person - Scotland)
Register office ceremony: £40 (£46.50 - Scotland)
Ceremony on approved premises: As above, plus the cost for attendance of the registrar, fee set by the local authority.
Marriage Certificate: £3.50 (£8.50 - Scotland)
The Wedding Ceremony
You can't incorporate any religious content into a civil marriage ceremony but you should still be able to add some individual touches, eg: readings/poems/non-religious music, etc. You will be able to find out what options you have from the superintendent registrar, for the district your wedding will take place in.
Please note: you must have at least two other people who are prepared to witness the marriage and sign the marriage register.
How to register a civil partnership
In order to form a civil partnership you must first `give notice'. This involves stating your intention to register a civil partnership to your registration authority. Once given, your notices are publicised by the registration authority for a period of 15 days. See the following government websites for further information:
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