Exceptional circumstances notice of marriage or civil partnership
We can carry out marriage or civil partnership ceremonies if you have a terminal illness, are housebound or in prison.
Terminal illness
If you are terminally ill and cannot be moved to a ceremony venue one partner must give notice at the local register office to apply for a special licence (Registrar General's Licence)
The ceremony can happen any time within 1 month.
You need a doctor's letter showing:
- they are treating the ill person
- the person is seriously ill and unlikely to recover
- they cannot be moved
- they understand what marriage means
- the doctor's signature, date, and qualifications
Once the notice is completed, we will send the paperwork to the General Register Office for the licence. They will let us know straight away if the licence has been given and then you can start to arrange the ceremony.
Housebound residents
If you are housebound, we will come to your home to take your notice. Your partner, if able, will need to give notice at their local register office.
A registered doctor must provide a statement within 14 days before the notice, showing:
- the person should not be moved from their current location
- the illness or disability will likely continue to immobilise them for at least 3 months
A detained person
If you are detained, we will come to the prison to take your notice.
We will need a statement from the responsible authority of the detention place, given within 21 days before the notice.
This must confirm there is no objection to the marriage taking place there.
Your partner, if able, will need to give notice at their local register office.
Documents we need
We will need to see both:
- passports
- address proof (bank statement, council tax bill, driving license, or 2 utility bills)
- if previously married: divorce papers or death certificate of former spouse
If the documents are not in English, you will also need to give us a translated copy.
For more information or to apply, contact the Ealing register office.