Arrange a marriage or civil partnership

Getting married in a church or other religious building.

Church of England or Church in Wales

If you wish to be married in the church of England or church in Wales, you should first speak to the vicar of the parish where you wish to marry. He will tell you if you are eligible to marry at the church.

If he/she agrees to marry you, he/she will arrange either for the banns to be called on three Sundays before the day of your marriage or for a common licence to be issued. The marriage is registered by the vicar at the church and there is usually no need to contact the register office about the marriage.

Other Places of Worship

If you wish to marry in any building used for worship and licensed for marriages, other than the church of England or church in Wales, you should contact the minister or other person in charge of marriages at the building. If he/she agrees to marry you, he/she will make arrangements for the marriage ceremony.

Remember that usually, you can only be married in a religious building which is situated in the registration district where one, or both, of you live. There are very few exceptions to this ruling - please contact your local superintendent registrar for advice on this matter.

Once the marriage has been arranged you will each have to give formal notice of marriage at the register office in the district(s) where you live. See the Legal Formalities page for more information.

Many places of worship have their own "registrar" or authorised person who will register the marriage on the day and issue your marriage certificate but sometimes you may need to book a registrar from the local register office to attend to do this for you. Please ask about this at the time you arrange your marriage.

Last updated 20/12/2011