We understand the importance of fulfilling the wishes of terminally ill persons who wish to marry or form a civil partnership but are unable to be moved to a licensed venue. Here’s how we can help:
Service Availability
This service is available to terminally ill persons within Rotherham, whether at home or in a Hospital or Hospice setting. These can be undertaken quickly providing that all legalities are satisfied, and the licence is issued by the Registrar General for England and Wales.
Encouragement to Act Early
If diagnosed with a terminal illness, individuals are encouraged to start the process as soon as possible while they are still able to attend a register office or other licensed premises. This helps ensure that their wishes can be fulfilled.
Standard Procedure
Under normal circumstances, couples must:
- present themselves at the Register Office in their district.
- give notice of marriage or civil partnership for a specific venue.
- wait for the statutory 28 day period before the ceremony can take place.
In some cases, the couple can apply to the Registrar General to waive the 28-day waiting period due to declining health. A supporting statement from their doctor will be required to explain the prognosis and quality of life.
Special Circumstances
When one party is terminally ill and cannot be moved to a place licensed for marriage or civil partnership, we will assess each case individually. Legal requirements and risk assessments must be met, and there is no guarantee that a Registrar General’s Licence will be issued.
Each couple’s situation is unique, and all necessary documents must be provided to the Registrar.
A notice is required to be given by the well-party to the marriage who will present the documents to the Registrars for the person who is terminally ill and themselves along with a statement from the doctor confirming the prognosis and that the person is too ill to be moved.
Documents Required
- Valid passport or a full birth certificate. If they were born in 1983 or after, they will also need their mothers birth certificate.
- Decree Absolute or Final Order of Divorce.
- Dissolution of Civil Partnership.
- Marriage/ civil partnership certificate of previous marriage if they have changed name back to the name they were known as before, such as a maiden name.
- Deed poll certificate if names have been changed by deed poll.
- Proof of address: valid UK driving licence, council tax bill dated within 12 months, bank statement dated within the last month or a utility bill dated within the last three months.
Contact Information
We recommend that the well party of the couple contacts us directly in all scenarios.
By contacting us early, we can help ensure that all legal requirements are met and that the couple’s wishes are fulfilled as smoothly as possible.
- Phone: 01709 823542
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
For urgent cases outside office hours:
- Weekends and Bank Holidays: 9am Saturday to 9am Monday (or the next working day if a bank holiday follows the weekend).
- Call 01709 823542 and hold to speak to Customer Services, who will arrange for the standby Registrar to contact the couple.
