If you are having a Religious or Belief wedding ceremony you still need to give Official Notice of Marriage to the Registrar’s Office in the District where your Ceremony is due to take place.
Religious & Belief Officiants
A religious/belief marriage ceremony can only be performed by a minister, priest, pastor, humanist celebrant or person who has been registered as an officiant and authorised by the Registrar General to conduct religious/belief marriages.
Official Notice of Intention to Marry
This can be completed once you are within the twelve-month period of your wedding date. It is recommended to complete this at least 12-14 weeks before the date of your Ceremony.
The legal minimum Notice period is 28 days; however, this is not advised, as you may need to postpone your ceremony if you do not have the correct documentation, etc.
Please also remember you must consider time to get an appointment booked as the Registration Offices are very busy registering all life events and performing civil ceremonies, etc.
Issuing Marriage Schedule for Wedding Ceremony
We will book in an appointment for you to collect your marriage schedule, when you attend your initial appointment to give your official notice of marriage. The marriage schedule must be collected in person. An officiant can only solemnise a marriage when he or she has received the marriage schedule.
Returning the Marriage Schedule
Please arrange to return the Marriage Schedule to the Registration Office within 3 working days.
Registration of your Marriage
Registration staff will register your Marriage and then issue your Marriage Certificate at a cost of £8.00 each.