Marriage In England and Wales

If you wish to marry in England or Wales you may do so either by civil or religious ceremony.

A civil ceremony can take place at a register office or other premises approved by the local authority for marriages (for example, hotel or stately home).

A religious ceremony can take place at a Church or Chapel of the Church of England or Church in Wales, or at any other place of worship which has been formally registered by the Register General for marriages.

Who Do I Contact To Make Arrangements?

This will depend on the type of ceremony and where you wish to marry.

1 - Church of England or Church of Wales

If you wish to be married in the Church of England or Church of Wales - and generally you will be able to do so only if you or your partner live in the parish - you should first speak to the Vicar. If they are able to marry you they will arrange for the Banns to be called on three Sundays before the day of your ceremony or for a common licence to be issued. The marriage will also be registered by the Vicar and there is generally no need to involve the local superintendent registrar.

2 - Other Places of Religious Worship

If you wish to marry by religious ceremony other than in the Church of England or Church of Wales you should first arrange to see the Minister or other person in charge of marriages at the building. However, the church or religious building in question must normally be in the registration district where you or your partner live.

It will also be necessary to give formal notice of your marriage to the superintendent registrar of the district(s) where you live. A registrar may also need to be booked.

3 - Civil Ceremony

If you wish to marry by civil ceremony, that is at a register office or other building approved for civil marriage, you should first contact the superintendent registrar of the district where you wish to marry. You may marry at any register office or approved premises of your choice in England or Wales. However, for a marriage in an approved premises, you will also need to make arrangements at the venue in question. In addition, you will need to give a formal notice of your marriage to the superintendent registrar of the district(s) where you live.

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Marriage In Scotland

Summary:

• Minimum age 16 years old. No parental consent required
• No residency requirements
• By law both parties to a proposed civil or religious marriage are required to submit marriage notice forms to the registrar of the district in which the marriage is to take place informing him or her of their intention to marry
• Forms for giving notice can be obtained from any registrar of births, deaths and marriages in Scotland
• Notice must be given in the three-month period prior to the date of marriage and NOT LATER than 15 days before that date

You can be married in either of two ways in Scotland - by a religious ceremony or by a civil ceremony .

A civil marriage may be solemnised only by a registrar or an assistant registrar who has been authorised by the Registrar General for that purpose.

A religious marriage, whether Christian or non-Christian, may be solemnised only by a minister, clergyman, pastor, priest or the other person entitled to do so under the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977.

Who Can Be Married In Scotland?

Any two persons, regardless of where they live, may marry in Scotland provided that:

• Both persons are at least 16 years of age on the day of their marriage
• They are not related to one another in a way which would prevent their marrying
• They are unmarried (any person who has already been married must produce documentary evidence that the previous marriage has been ended by death, divorce or annulment)
• They are not the same sex
• They are capable of understanding the nature of a marriage ceremony and of consenting to marriage
• The marriage would be regarded as valid in any foreign country to which either party belongs

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