Civil ceremonies are conducted by a Registrar or Deputy Registrar for the district where the ceremony is to take place and are non-religious.
If you decide to have a Civil Ceremony within the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area, the Registration Team will support you at this wonderful time in your lives to plan your own personal, meaningful and unique Ceremony to leave you with beautiful memories to treasure.
In Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area, Civil Ceremonies can take place in the Lisburn Registration Office at Lagan Valley Island, or they can take place in one of the designated Approved Wedding Venues licensed within the district.
You will first need to decide where and when you wish to have your ceremony before giving notice of your marriage.
Only a Registrar/Deputy Registrar can marry you in Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn.
If you would like to have your civil ceremony in Lisburn Registration Office or at one of our approved venues, please contact us by either ringing 028 9244 7263 or emailing: bdm.registration@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk to check our diary for availability and advice, making a provisional booking, etc. Please ensure you give your contact telephone number if emailing.
If you want a wedding date within 12 months, we will hold this date for two weeks to allow you time to make an appointment to submit your marriage form, show your documentation and pay your fees.
We also offer a marriage or civil partnership where the couple have only the two legally required witnesses present (we cannot provide them). This is available at limited times and terms and conditions apply. Ask the Registrar for further advice.
Civil Ceremony
1. Choose where you would like to have your Ceremony.
It is possible to have your Ceremony in the Registrar’s Office at Lagan Valley Island, or any of the Approved Venues within the district.
2. Check your date and time with the Registrar.
A quick call to our team on 028 9244 7263 or email: bdm.registration@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk can provisionally book your date and time if outside the year of the wedding. Bookings can be made 3-4 years in advance.
3. Book your Venue.
Please see the list of Approved Venues within the District.
4. Submit your legal notice to the Registry Office.
When you are within 12 months of your wedding date, you need to book an appointment to give Your Notice of Intention to Marry.
5. Plan your personal and beautiful Ceremony with the Registrar.
As your day approaches and planning your Ceremony is at the top of your list, you will need to confirm your final ceremony details. Our beautiful Ceremonies can also include music, personal vows, reading(s), singers, sand ceremony, candle lighting (venue permitting), etc.
The Registrar will bring your Marriage Schedule to your Marriage Ceremony and immediately after your Ceremony will ask you both to sign this, along with your witnesses and the Registrar will sign too. When the Registrar returns to the office, your Marriage will be registered and Marriage Certificate issued and posted out to you.
The Registration Team assist you with all the legal preliminaries to your Marriage, look after your lovely Ceremony, register your paperwork and issue your Marriage Certificate. By choosing us you can rely on a professional, discreet and personal team.