How to Get Married in the UK

If you are thinking of tying the knot in Wales, England proper or Northern Ireland, there are a few tips and suggestions to keep in mind that are sure to cut down on stress, frustration and also the overall cost of the endeavor. This is especially apropos if you are an American where the rules and regulations for celebrating a marriage ceremony are a lot more liberal and lenient than they are in the United Kingdom. Learn how to get married in the UK by following these uncomplicated steps.

Things You'll Need

• Passport or other proof of name, age, and citizenship
• Parental consent (if bride or groom is aged 16 or 17)
• Proof of seven days of uninterrupted residence in the chosen registrar district
• Copy of divorce decree or civil union dissolution (if applicable)
• Register Office approved location for nuptials
• £103.50 per couple for Register Office notice, ceremony and copy of marriage certificate
• Two witnesses over the age of 16

Instructions

How to Get Married in the UK

1. Ensure matrimonial eligibility. Unlike a few other countries, in the United Kingdom marriage is strictly between one man and one woman who are at least 16 years of age and not currently married or part of a civil union. If you are under 18 years young, parental consent is required.

2. Fulfill residency requirements. You and your intended spouse need to have lived within the confines of the Register Office’s district for seven uninterrupted days prior to seeking marriage.

3. Provide necessary documentation to the Register Office. You need to have proof of name, citizenship, age, and current address. A passport is the recommended form of identification but on a case to case basis other forms of identification are also accepted. If you are divorced or were part of a dissolved civil union, a copy of the divorce decree or dissolution certificate must also be provided. Additionally, if you are an immigrant to the UK, you must show proof that you are legally eligible to enter into a marriage at this location.

4. Publicize your intent to marry at least 15 days prior to the ceremony. This is done at the Register Office and needs to be done in person by the groom and the bride.

5. Find a sanctioned location for the nuptials. Rather than a religious connotation, marriage in the UK has primarily a legal subtext. Civil ceremonies are held at the Register Office determined by the postcode of either bride or groom. Some couples go on to have a religious ceremony afterwards at either the Church of England or another faith community. While an Anglican church is automatically approved, the location of any other faith community building needs to be sanctioned.

6. Pay the applicable fees. It costs £30.00 for each the groom and the bride to have advance notice of their upcoming nuptials posted. £40.00 per couple pays for the actual civil ceremony at the Register Office. If you are planning on having a religious ceremony afterwards, the cost of the attending vicar or rabbi in addition to the rental of the facility applies. Finally, to receive a copy of your marriage certificate, pay the registrar £3.50.

7. Appear on the date of the civil ceremony at the Register Office with at least two witnesses who are 16 years of age or older.

8. Undergo the marriage ceremony and sign the marriage register.

Tips & Warnings

• If you were part of a civil union in the UK, make sure you have documentation proving that it was dissolved.

• Do not attempt to include any kind of religious theme into your Register Office ceremony. This is prohibited.

• You cannot get married at a private residence or other outdoor venue. Wedding ceremonies can only be held at the Register Office, an Anglican Church building, a building belonging to another religious affiliation—if it has been properly approved for the purpose—and finally at a public building that has been approved by the registrar, such as a hotel or other venue.

• Workers at the Register Office cannot act as witnesses to your wedding. You must bring your own!

Resources

• Visit the Gro.Gov.Uk website to learn where your nearest Register Office is located.
• The Church of England website at CofE.Anglican.org has all the information you need to schedule a religious wedding ceremony.
• If you or your intended spouse is not a British citizen, take a look at the UKBA.HomeOffice.gov.uk website where the UK Border Agency of the Home Office has listed the requirements for entering into a marriage within the borders of the United Kingdom.