Giving notice of marriage or civil partnership

A notice of marriage or notice of civil partnership is a legal declaration that must be given individually by each of you in person.

A notice is venue-specific and valid for 12 months from the date the notice is given. Before booking an appointment you must have decided where and when you would like to get married or form your civil partnership and have made a provisional booking with the venue and local registration service before you book your notice appointment.

If, after giving notice, you change the ceremony venue or the date is moved beyond 12 months from the date of your appointment, you must give a new notice and pay the fees again.

In order for your ceremony to go ahead, you must have valid notices in place at least 30 days before the date of your ceremony or 70 days if one or both of the couple are subject to immigration control.

You will need to give notice in your local registration district. If you and your partner live in different areas, you will each need to give notice in your own district.  If you or your partner are subject to immigration control you must both give notice together in the district in which one or both of you live.

A nationally set booking fee is payable for each notice. This is non-refundable. Find out more about registration fees.

When you can give notice

In order to give notice, you must have lived in that district for a minimum of seven days (immediately before you give your notice). If you are coming from abroad the day of arrival does not count and notice cannot be given until the ninth day. For example, if arrival day is Tuesday, notice cannot be given until the following Wednesday.

The earliest date the notice of marriage can be given is 12 months before the wedding ceremony. Normally, 28 clear days' notice is required. For example, if you give notice on 1 May the registration can take place on or after 30 May. In some cases the Notice period may be extended to 70 days.

Notice can be given up to 12 months in advance of your ceremony, but no later than 30 days prior to your ceremony or 71 days if you are subject to immigration control.

For example, if you give notice on 1 May the ceremony can take place on or after 30 May. The notice period may be extended to 70 days if you are subject to immigration control.

Booking an appointment

Please note, that you are not booking your marriage or civil partnership ceremony. This appointment is to complete the legal paperwork only.

You will need to give notice in your local registration district. If you and your partner live in different areas, you will each need to give notice in your own district.  If you or your partner are subject to immigration control you must both give notice together in the district in which one or both of you live.

Your notices are usually valid for 12 months from the date the notice was given. If you change the place of your ceremony, notice will need to be given again.

If you wish to book a notice appointment in Oxfordshire, there are registration offices in Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester, Didcot, Henley, Oxford and Witney. 

If you live outside Oxfordshire, please contact the register office in the district in which you live to book an appointment.

Documentation

As with all legal events, you will be required to produce evidence of your full name, nationality, age and current address. Acceptable documents are listed below:

Proof of identity

British citizens born before 1 January 1983

• Current valid passport or
• Birth certificate and photo ID with evidence of current name or
• Naturalisation certificate and photo ID

British citizens born on or after 1 January 1983

If you were born on or after 1 January 1983 you would not automatically acquire British Nationality, it is taken from your parents

• Current valid British passport, or
• Naturalisation certificate and photo ID or
• Full birth certificate, which includes your parents' details and photo ID with evidence of your current name, plus evidence of your parents British nationality, please see list of accepted documents below:
• If your parents were married at the time of your birth, evidence of your mother or father’s British nationality, their British passport or British birth certificate.
• If your parents were not married at the time of your birth, then only your mother's British birth certificate or British passport can be accepted.
• If your mother or father's British birth certificate or British passport shows a different name from that on your own full birth certificate, you will need to present evidence to show their change of name (eg. marriage certificate or change of name deed).
• If both your parents were born on or after 1 January 1983, you will need to bring evidence of your grandparents’ nationality (passport or birth certificate). As this can be quite complex please complete our online enquiry form here.
• If your parents were born outside the UK, then you must provide evidence of their British nationality at the time of your birth.

Irish nationals

• Current valid Irish passport

Nationals with EU Settled Status (EUSS)

People who have been granted settled or pre-settled EU Settlement Status or have a pending application for EU settlement submitted before 30 June 2021.

• Current valid passport
• Your 9-character alpha-numeric share code to prove your EUSS. 

The share code should be generated prior the appointment on gov.uk and you will need details of the identity document you used when you applied for EUSS.  This code is valid for 30 days. If you are unable to provide a valid share code during the appointment, or if it confirms that you do not have EUSS, you will be referred to the Home office and the waiting period for your ceremony may be extended to 70 days.

You will also be required to provide a photograph for you and your partner.

The booking fee for the notice will increase to £47 per person.

Important - please note that EEA ID cards cannot be accepted as proof of identity, name, age or nationality.

Foreign nationals

Foreign nationals are defined as people who are not British Citizens, Irish Citizens and who have not been granted EU Settled Status (EUSS) or have a pending application for EUSS submitted before 30 June 2021. If you or your partner are a foreign national, you must give notice together in the registration district in which one or both of you live.

If you are a foreign national, in addition to proof of full name, age, nationality and address you will also be required to provide evidence of your settled status in England and Wales. If you are unable to provide this, you will be referred to the Home office and the waiting period for your marriage may be extended to 70 days. You will also be required to provide a passport-style photograph for you and one for your partner.

Acceptable documents are listed below:-

• Current valid passport or
• Valid Home Office Travel Document

Proof of Settled Status

• Indefinite Leave to Remain/Enter or
• Marriage visa 
• Note: If you do not have or cannot provide evidence of settled status in England and Wales then contact us.

For detailed information, visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

If you have changed your name

If one or both of you have changed your names, you will need to provide evidence of a change of name. All the names on your documents must match. If they do not, we must see how they link i.e marriage certificate or change of name deed or Statutory Declaration.

Proof of current address

• Council tax bill (dated within 12 months of giving notice)
• Utility bill (dated within three months of giving notice)
• Bank statement (dated within one months of giving notice)
• Current residential tenancy agreement
• Valid UK photo driving licence
• A letter signed by the owner/occupier of the house who is able to confirm your residence over the previous seven days

If you have been married or in a civil partnership before

• If your last marriage or civil partnership was dissolved and your documentation was issued in the UK, you will need to bring your decree absolute of divorce or final order
• If your last marriage or civil partnership was dissolved and your documentation was issued outside the UK, you will need to bring your dissolution of marriage or civil partnership document, along with a certified English translation if applicable. The translation must include all parts of the document, including any official stamps or signatures and the full name and contact details of the translator, and be certified by them as a true and accurate translation. A fee will also apply
• If your last marriage or civil partnership ended in the death of your partner, you will need to bring your partner’s death certificate showing your own name

Who will attend the ceremony

Registrars

Two registrars will attend a civil marriage ceremony and one will attend a civil partnership ceremony.

Interpreters

All registrations and ceremonies are held in English, so if either of you cannot speak or understand English well, you must provide an interpreter. Please discuss this with the registrar who takes your notice of marriage or civil partnership, to be sure the legal requirements are met.

Witnesses

You will need two witnesses. They can be friends or relatives, but should be over the age of 16 and able to speak and understand English well.

Further information or advice

If you need further advice about giving notice, please contact us for assistance.  We aim to respond to all messages within 10 working days.