Giving Notice of Marriage UK: Complete Guide 2025

You must give notice of marriage at least 29 days before your wedding in England and Wales.¹ The standard cost is £35 per person (£70 for a couple), and your notice remains valid for 12 months. This legal requirement applies whether you're having a civil ceremony at a registry office wedding or a religious ceremony in a church.

What Is Giving Notice of Marriage?

Giving notice is the legal process of formally declaring your intention to marry. Both you and your partner must complete this step before any marriage ceremony can take place in England and Wales.¹

During your appointment at the register office, you'll:

• Provide proof of identity and address
• Declare that you're free to marry
• Pay the required fee
• Sign a formal declaration

After you give notice, your details are publicly displayed for 29 days. This waiting period allows anyone with a legal objection to come forward. Once the 29 days pass without objection, you'll receive your authority to marry and can proceed with your ceremony.

Where to Give Notice

Register Office Requirements

You must give notice at the register office in the district where you live—not where your wedding will take place.¹ This applies even if your ceremony venue is in a different part of the country.

If you and your partner live in different districts:

• Each person gives notice at their own local register office
• You can attend on different days
• Both notices must be completed before the 29-day waiting period starts

Booking your appointment:

• Contact your local register office directly
• Waiting times vary by location and season
• Popular wedding months (May-September) book up faster
• Aim to book 2-3 months before you want to give notice

Documents You'll Need

Standard Requirements (All Applicants)

Acceptable Proof of Address

• UK or Irish driving licence
• Recent utility bills (within 3 months)
• Bank statements (within 1 month)
• Council Tax bill (within 12 months)
• Mortgage statement (within 12 months)
• Tenancy agreement
• Landlord letter (dated within 7 days)²

If Previously Married or in Civil Partnership

Additional Requirements for Non-UK Citizens

If you or your partner are from outside the UK, you'll also need:²

• Passport-sized photographs
• Proof of current immigration status (visa)
• Certified translations of non-English documents

EU/EEA citizens or EU Settlement Scheme holders must provide either:

• Share code confirming settled or pre-settled status
• Certificate of EU Settlement Scheme application (made by 30 June 2021)

Costs Breakdown

England and Wales Fees (2025)

Total minimum cost for a couple: £70 (standard) to £166 (both subject to immigration control with overseas divorces)

Timeline: From Notice to Ceremony

Step-by-Step Process

Recommended Timeline

• 12 months before: Earliest you can give notice
• 6-9 months before: Ideal timing for flexibility
• 3 months before: Good if venue is confirmed
• 29 days before: Absolute minimum (risky if issues arise)

Special Circumstances

Non-UK/EU Citizens and Immigration Control

If either partner is subject to immigration control (doesn't have settled status, indefinite leave, or the right of abode), special rules apply:¹

• Both partners must give notice together at the same appointment
• The waiting period may extend from 29 to 70 days
• The Home Office may investigate before granting approval
• Additional fees apply (£47 per person instead of £35)

Same-Sex Couples

The process for same-sex marriages is identical to opposite-sex marriages in England and Wales. All the same requirements, costs, and timelines apply.

Religious Ceremonies

Even if you're marrying in a church or other religious building, you still need to give civil notice at a register office. The only exception is if you're having Church of England or Church in Wales banns read—in which case, the banns replace the civil notice requirement.

Armed Forces

Service personnel stationed overseas may have different requirements. Contact the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) for guidance on giving notice when based abroad.

Regional Differences Across the UK

Marriage laws differ between England/Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Here's how the notice requirements compare:

Scotland: Key Differences

Scotland operates a separate legal system. Key differences include:

• Complete the M10 marriage notice form (not a declaration)
• Submit forms to the registrar where you're getting married
• Fee is £100 total (not per person)³
• Notice is only valid for 3 months (not 12)
• Both religious and belief ceremonies are legally recognised

Northern Ireland: Key Differences

Northern Ireland has its own registration system:⁴

• Lower fee (£22 per person)
• 28-day minimum notice (one day shorter)
• Notice given to registrar in the district of the ceremony
• Marriage certificates can be in English, Irish, or bilingual

Practical Tips

At Your Appointment

What to expect:

• The appointment takes 30-45 minutes
• You'll sit with a registrar in a private room
• They'll verify all your documents
• You'll sign a legal declaration
• Payment is taken at the end

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Bringing photocopies instead of originals
• Utility bills older than 3 months
• Forgetting proof of name change
• Not knowing your venue's full address and date

If Problems Arise

Documents rejected: If a document isn't accepted, you may need to reschedule. Ask what specific alternative is acceptable.

Notice expires: If 12 months pass without your ceremony, you'll need to repeat the entire process and pay again.

Objection raised: Formal objections are rare. If one occurs, the superintendent registrar investigates. You cannot marry until resolved.

What Happens After Giving Notice

Once you've given notice and the 29-day waiting period passes:

1. The register office contacts you to confirm approval
2. You receive written authority to proceed with your marriage
3. You can hold your ceremony any time within 12 months
4. After the ceremony, your officiant registers the marriage
5. You can order certified copies of your marriage certificate

Marriage certificates cost £11 each. Order multiple copies—you'll need them for name changes, passport updates, and bank accounts.

Sources and References