Getting Married or Forming a Civil Partnership
The legal requirements for getting married or forming a civil partnership in England & Wales, including notice, ceremonies, and documentation.
Overview
Marriage and civil partnership are legal relationships recognised by law in England & Wales. Since the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 and the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Act 2019, both marriage and civil partnership are available to opposite-sex and same-sex couples. This guide covers the legal requirements for getting married or forming a civil partnership in England & Wales.
Who Can Use This Process
- Both parties must be at least 18 years old (the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 raised the minimum age from 16 to 18)
- Both parties must be free to marry (not already married or in a civil partnership)
- The parties must not be within the prohibited degrees of relationship
- Both parties must have capacity to consent to the marriage
Step-by-Step Process
Give Notice
Both parties must give notice of their intention to marry at a register office in the district where they live. You must have lived in the registration district for at least 7 days before giving notice. The notice is displayed publicly for 28 days (the 'waiting period'). Both parties must attend in person and bring required documents (passport, birth certificate, proof of address, and evidence of any previous marriage/civil partnership dissolution).
- Book a notice appointment well in advance — popular periods fill up
- If either party is a non-EEA national, the notice period may be extended to 70 days under the immigration referral scheme
- Bring original documents, not copies
Choose Your Ceremony Type
You can marry in a religious ceremony (church, mosque, synagogue, etc.), a civil ceremony at a register office, or a civil ceremony at approved premises (hotels, stately homes, etc.). Church of England and Church in Wales marriages have separate legal requirements (banns or a common licence). Civil ceremonies must not include any religious content.
- Check that your chosen venue is licensed for civil ceremonies
- If marrying in the Church of England, you may use banns instead of civil notice
The Ceremony
The ceremony must be conducted by an authorised person (a registrar for civil ceremonies, or an authorised religious celebrant). The ceremony must take place between 8am and 6pm (except Jewish and Quaker marriages). Two witnesses must be present. Both parties must declare that they are free to marry and exchange vows. The marriage is then registered.
- The legal requirements are the declarations and vows — everything else (readings, music) is optional
- The ceremony must take place in a building with open doors (though this rule is not strictly enforced for civil ceremonies at approved premises)
Register the Marriage
The marriage must be registered immediately after the ceremony. The register is signed by both parties, the two witnesses, and the person conducting the ceremony. You will receive a marriage certificate. For religious marriages, the registration may be done by the authorised person or by a registrar present at the ceremony.
- Order extra copies of your marriage certificate at the ceremony — it's cheaper than ordering them later
- Your marriage certificate is an important legal document — store it safely
Costs
Important Warnings
A marriage without proper legal formalities may be void or voidable. Always ensure you follow the correct legal process.
Forced marriage is a criminal offence in England & Wales under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
If either party lacks mental capacity to consent, the marriage is voidable.
Useful Links
Frequently asked questions
- How long does the getting married or forming a civil partnership process take?
- The end-to-end timeline depends on which stage you're at. Common steps run on these timeframes: "28 days minimum before ceremony". Add court / counterparty response time on top — disputed matters can run months longer than the bare minimum.
- How much does it cost?
- Main outlays are: Giving notice (per person) — £35; Register office ceremony — £57 (statutory fee); Certificate of marriage — £11; Approved premises ceremony — Varies (£100-£1,000+) — set by the venue and local authority. Court fees often qualify for Help with Fees remission if you're on a low income. Solicitor fees are extra and vary widely — many matters can be done as a litigant in person.
- What are the most common mistakes to avoid?
- Watch out for: A marriage without proper legal formalities may be void or voidable. Always ensure you follow the correct legal process.; Forced marriage is a criminal offence in England & Wales under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.; If either party lacks mental capacity to consent, the marriage is voidable.. If you're unsure on any of these, get advice from a regulated solicitor or a free service like Citizens Advice before acting.
- Where can I find the official forms and guidance?
- The official sources are: GOV.UK — Get married in England or Wales; Find a register office. Always use the forms / guidance from the issuing authority's own site — third-party copies can be out of date.
- Can I do this myself without a solicitor?
- Yes — many people complete this kind of matter as a litigant in person. The site walks through each step in plain English. A solicitor is recommended if: large sums are at stake, the other side has legal representation, the matter involves criminal liability, children, immigration, or you're unsure on any procedural deadline. Free advice is available from Citizens Advice, Law Centres, and (for some matters) LawWorks pro bono clinics.