Give notice of a marriage or civil partnership

A notice of marriage or notice of civil partnership is a legal document showing the names of the 2 people who are getting married or registering a civil partnership, and the venue where their ceremony will take place. 

You can get married or enter into a civil partnership if you: 

• are 18 or over 
• are not already married or in a civil partnership 
• are not closely related 
• have confirmed a ceremony venue 
• have lived in the registration area for at least 7 full days

You will need to decide whether you want to get married or enter a civil partnership before giving notice. 

When to give notice 

Once you have chosen your venue you should each give notice of your intention to marry or to form a civil partnership. 

This can be done up to 12 months before the ceremony. The latest you can give notice is 28 days before  the ceremony. The notice period may be extended to 70 days for those with the correct immigration status to permit marriage or civil partnership. 

Documents 

You must bring these documents to your appointment: 

• proof of your name, date of birth, nationality and address 
• immigration status, if applicable. This can be a share code from GOV.UK 
• either a divorce document or your partner’s death certificate (if you have been married or in a civil partnership before) 
• a full translated copy (if your documents are not in English) 
• proof of any name changes (for example, a copy of a deed poll) 

All documents must be originals. We cannot accept photocopies, scans or emails. 

Find out what documents you can bring to give notice on GOV.UK

Single or joint notice appointment 

You can each have a single notice appointment in the district in which you live if you both hold any of the following: 

• British citizenship 
• Irish citizenship 
• EU settled or pre-settled status (applied before June 2021) 
• Exemption from immigration control, such as right of abode, diplomatic or military exemption 

If you or your partner are from outside the UK 

You must give notice in a joint appointment in the district in which one of you lives if either partner is from outside the UK and does not hold: 

• British citizenship 
• Irish citizenship 
• EU settled or pre-settled status (applied before June 2021) 
• Exemption from immigration control, such as right of abode, diplomatic or military exemption 

Home Office Referral Scheme 

Your notices will be automatically referred to the Home Office if you give notice without the right visa for marriage if you do not hold: 

• indefinite leave to remain 
• a marriage visa 

This means: 

• you will need to pay an additional fee at your notice for the referral 
• your waiting period may be extended to 70 days 
• the home office might not to approve your marriage or civil partnership 
• a passport photograph for each party to the marriage is required

If either partner cannot speak English you will need to bring an interpreter to the appointment. The interpreter does not have to be a professional. They can be a friend or relative. 

You cannot translate for your partner. 

If you do not bring a translator, and one is needed, the appointment will be cancelled. 

Fees 

• £42 per person – Standard fee  
• £57 per person — if you are subject to the Home Office referral scheme 
• £6.50 per person — non-refundable admin fee 

You must pay a deposit when you book online. The deposit will be used towards payment for the service

Foreign divorces 

If you have been divorced outside the UK, you will need to pay an extra fee of £55 or £83, depending on the documents you provide.  For more information see fees and charges

How to give notice 

• in writing or by email 
• by video call 
• on behalf of someone else   

Changing or cancelling the appointment 

Your deposit goes toward the cost of the service. 

If you cancel or change your appointment, you may be charged an extra fee. 

Requests to change or cancel must be sent by contacting us online 

You can cancel or change the appointment up to 3 working days before the appointment date. 

You will be charged if your request is sent with less than 5 days’ notice. 

For more information see fees and charges