This section will explain on how to register your marriage in the United Kingdom. If you are in England or Wales, both of you must have lived in a registration district for at least seven days immediately before giving notice of marriage or intention to register a civil partnership. In Scotland and Northern Ireland you can register by post and you do not have to attend the registration office in person.

In order to give notice to marry or register your civil partnership you need to:

1.      bring evidence of your names, addresses, ages and nationalities. If you have been married or registered before, you will need proof that you are now free to marry or register a civil partnership; and

2.      give your certificate of approval to the registrar when you give notice to marry or register a civil partnership. This does not apply if you plan to register in Scotland or Northern Ireland and register by post, in which case you will need to photocopy the sticker in your passport and send the photocopy to the registrar along with your marriage or civil partnership notice papers.

Once you have given your notice to marry or registered your civil partnership you can:

1.      get married or register your civil partnership after 15 days in England and Wales and 14 days in Scotland and Northern Ireland; and

2.      in England and Wales have your wedding or civil partnership at any register office or approved premises 15 days after you have given notice to marry or register your civil partnership.

The notice to marry or register your civil partnership is valid for one year from the date on which it was given in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and for three months in Scotland. Your marriage or civil partnership must take place within this time or you will have to apply again starting with the certificate of approval.