Getting Married

A legal guide to marriage

The first step on the road to getting marred in a civil ceremony is giving notice to the registry office in your area. This will be displayed publicly for 15 days so that anyone who has an objection can make it known. Notice is valid for a year and if the marriage hasn’t taken place within that time, it must be sought again. Notice is not usually needed if you are getting married in the Church of England. Both people must go to give notice and it is not possible for someone to give notice on your behalf.

You need to have lived in the area you are getting notice from for seven days before notice is sought.

If either person is subject to immigration control then the following information will need to be provided when notice is given:

• a visa which provides entry clearance, specifically for the purpose of marriage in the UK
• a certificate of approval which includes written permission of the Secretary of State (this can be obtained from the Home Office)
• a document showing that you are able to live in the UK, e.g. Indefinite Leave to Remain

What you need to provide when registering

Details you need to provide when registering notice are;

• your full name 
• age - you need to be at least 16 in England and Wales and parental consent may be required if you are under 18 years old
• address
• nationality
• current marital status
• occupation
• where you wish to get married

You will have to provide documentary evidence for some information such as your passport, and you will also need evidence of the ending of any previous marriages.

Religious ceremonies

You do not need to involve the local registers office if you wish to get married in the Church of England. You will however need to go and talk to the vicar of the church to arrange the ceremony. If you wish to have a religious ceremony outside of the Church of England then the following steps are advisable; go and speak to the person in charge of marriages in the building in which you wish to get married. If you are subject to immigration control you will need to give the registers office formal notice. You must ensure that there are two people to witness the ceremony.

Civil ceremonies

A civil ceremony can take place in any location which has been approved by the local authority to hold marriages. Notice will need to be given (see above for details). Also, as with religious ceremonies, two people will be required to act as witnesses.

Cost of getting married

Wedding costs will vary from person to person. However, there are some fees which remain constant.

• To give notice before registering a marriage costs £33.50 for each person.
• To register a marriage at a registers office costs £40.00.
• To register a marriage on approved premises varies depending on the local authority, as they will need to provide a registrar to perform the wedding. There will usually also be a charge from the owners of the building.
• The cost of a religious ceremony in the Church of England or Church in Wales will vary depending on the church. It is advisable to check fees with the vicar of the church where you wish to marry.
• The cost of religious ceremony at a building other than Church of England or Church of Wales depends on whether the building has an Authorised Person. If it doesn’t then there will be an £80 fee for the registrar. There may be further fees charged by the people that run the building and the person who performs the ceremony.
• The cost of the marriage certificate is £3.50.

For information on civil partnership ceremonies visit our civil partnerships section.

Getting married abroad

If you wish to get married abroad you will need to contact the Embassy or High Commission of the country that you wish to get married in. You may be required to obtain a ‘certificate of no impediment’ which gives permission for non-nationals to marry in their country. These can be obtained through your local registry office.

Marriage and matrimony laws

Marriage is the legal union of two people who want to share in all aspects of their lives together. For most couples who want to stay together marriage is the best option, as it is the only way that the law will officially recognise their relationship and afford them the benefits of this.

The domain of family law solicitors

Family law is a large part of the body of rules and regulations that make up UK law. Family life is considered to be such an important part of our society, not just in the security and development that it provides to children but also as a major driver of the economy.

Marriage in the eyes of the law

Marriage: To join together in union with the one that you love so dearly. Marriage can be such a beautiful thing. However, marriage is not always a walk in the rose garden.