Legal Preliminaries to Marriage
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If you are both British Citizens
Every person marry in a district register office, approved premise, Church, Temple or Chapel, must give their notice of intention to marry to the superintendent registrar in the district in which you are resident (if you care marrying in the Church of England, you can normally have the Banns called and this would be arranged with your vicar).
You cannot give notice until you have booed your wedding venue as this is invlued on the notice. Notices are valid for one year, so be careful when arranging your notice as venues can be booked more than 1 year in advance.
Before you give notice at your local register office, you must both be British or European Nationals and lived in the district for a minimum of 7 days (yes 7 days) and be free to marry. The notice must be given in person by both partners, most offices are open 9-3 so you'll probably have to take a half day from work. The whole process takes less than 20 minutes and is subject to a fee of £30 each.
Are either of you subect to immigration control
The law changes slightly if you do not both hold British or EU Passports. Both parties to the marriage must attend a designated register office together, regardless of where you live.
In addition to the other documents as mentioned you must als0 have clearance from the home office to allow you to marry. This may be in the form of a marriage or fiance visa applied for before arriving in this country or a certificate of approval to marry which you must obtain if your are already a resident here. The home office immigration service can advise you on 0870 606 7766 or from their website www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
Documents you need to provide
When you attend to give notice of marriage, you will be asked to produce evidence of your name, age, marital status, address and nationality. The preferred document is a current full passport, if thisis not available a birth cirtificate plus another document, such as a medical card, ni car, full driving licence may be acceptable. You will also need to take along a utility bill, if you are under 18 you will require permissino of parents or guardian to marry.
If you have been married in this or any other country you must produce documents which confirm you are free to remarry. If you have divorced you will need to take along your decree absolute (either the original or a copy with the court stamp on it, a photcopy will not suffice in most cases. If your previous spouse has died we must see an original copy of their death certificate. If they are in a foreign language you must also supply a translation into english.
After you have given notice of marriage
The notices of marriage will be displated publicly in the register office for a minimum of 15 days before the authority allowing your marriage to proceed is given. If you are arrying outside of the district you must collect your authority and take it to the Superindendent registrar of Minister of Religion who will be conducting your wedding.
Every person marry in a district register office, approved premise, Church, Temple or Chapel, must give their notice of intention to marry to the superintendent registrar in the district in which you are resident (if you care marrying in the Church of England, you can normally have the Banns called and this would be arranged with your vicar).
You cannot give notice until you have booed your wedding venue as this is invlued on the notice. Notices are valid for one year, so be careful when arranging your notice as venues can be booked more than 1 year in advance.
Before you give notice at your local register office, you must both be British or European Nationals and lived in the district for a minimum of 7 days (yes 7 days) and be free to marry. The notice must be given in person by both partners, most offices are open 9-3 so you'll probably have to take a half day from work. The whole process takes less than 20 minutes and is subject to a fee of £30 each.
Are either of you subect to immigration control
The law changes slightly if you do not both hold British or EU Passports. Both parties to the marriage must attend a designated register office together, regardless of where you live.
In addition to the other documents as mentioned you must als0 have clearance from the home office to allow you to marry. This may be in the form of a marriage or fiance visa applied for before arriving in this country or a certificate of approval to marry which you must obtain if your are already a resident here. The home office immigration service can advise you on 0870 606 7766 or from their website www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
Documents you need to provide
When you attend to give notice of marriage, you will be asked to produce evidence of your name, age, marital status, address and nationality. The preferred document is a current full passport, if thisis not available a birth cirtificate plus another document, such as a medical card, ni car, full driving licence may be acceptable. You will also need to take along a utility bill, if you are under 18 you will require permissino of parents or guardian to marry.
If you have been married in this or any other country you must produce documents which confirm you are free to remarry. If you have divorced you will need to take along your decree absolute (either the original or a copy with the court stamp on it, a photcopy will not suffice in most cases. If your previous spouse has died we must see an original copy of their death certificate. If they are in a foreign language you must also supply a translation into english.
After you have given notice of marriage
The notices of marriage will be displated publicly in the register office for a minimum of 15 days before the authority allowing your marriage to proceed is given. If you are arrying outside of the district you must collect your authority and take it to the Superindendent registrar of Minister of Religion who will be conducting your wedding.
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