Registering a marriage

If you are planning to get married, you must give a Notice of Marriage to the register office in the district where you live (except in Anglican marriages). This is a legal procedure by which you declare your intention to marry. Notice must be given in person at least 15 clear days before the marriage.

To book an appointment to give notice of marriage, tel: (020) 8825 7272
For general enquiries, tel: 020 8825 7272
Office hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm
Email: registrars@ealing.gov.uk 

Residents in the borough of Ealing should give notice to Ealing's register office. The notice must be given in person by both parties to the marriage. If you live in different boroughs, each person should visit their own local register office. The fee for each notice is £30.

Marriage fees at Ealing Town Hall:
Monday to Thursday      £53.50
Friday all day               £103.50
Saturday all day           £203.50

If your English is not good, you should come with a friend or family to translate on your behalf (this person cannot be your future spouse). If you marry without giving notice, your marriage will not be legally recognised here and abroad. You need at least seven days residence in a district before giving notice of marriage.

The Notice of Marriage must state the venue where the marriage will take place. Do not arrange to give your notice if you have not decided on the venue. The notice is not transferable to another venue so, should you change your mind, this would require a new notice and an additional fee.

Frequently asked questions

Documents required
You must produce proof of your name, age, marital status and nationality to satisfy the superintendent registrar of your residential qualification. Please provide original or certified copies only.

You must bring:

If you do not have a passport, please bring a national identity card, birth certificate, home office travel or identity document, certificate of registration or naturalisation as a citizen.

If you have ever changed your name or if the names on your birth certificate are different to your current usage (either in their order, spelling or actual names used), then you should also bring your birth certificate and any change of name deed poll.

If the death certificate does not name the surviving spouse as husband/wife, you should also bring the marriage certificate.

If you have a foreign divorce document please contact the register office about a need for a translation. Note: with some forms of divorce (native law and custom, religious, mutual consent) further documents or statements may be required.

In countries where the law requires the court decision to be added on to the birth registration or marriage registration, an updated birth or marriage certificate will be required rather than the court decision.

Marriages in the Church of England or   Wales
If you plan to get married in the Church of England or Wales, parishioners will normally give notice of marriage on your behalf by way of banns to the parish priest. If you need to give notice of marriage to the register office, the priest will inform you so.