🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Notice of Marriage

Notice Required 28 Days Before Ceremony

Easy ~15 min MarriageCivil PartnershipWedding

/ What is this form?

Before marrying in England and Wales, both partners must give legal notice at their local register office at least 28 days before the ceremony. Notice is displayed publicly for 28 days to allow objections. This applies to both civil and religious ceremonies.

Non-EEA nationals must give 70 days' notice and may face additional Home Office checks. If you've been married before, you must bring your decree absolute (divorce certificate) or death certificate of your former spouse.

Notice is valid for 12 months. If the wedding is postponed beyond 12 months, both partners must give notice again.

/ Who needs this form?

Anyone planning to marry or form a civil partnership in England and Wales
Both partners must give notice individually

/ What you need before you start

Valid passport or national ID card

Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement)

Decree absolute if previously divorced

Death certificate of former spouse if widowed

Fee: £35 per person

/ Step-by-step guide

1 Book Register Office Appointment

Both partners must book and attend separate appointments at their local register office — you cannot give notice on behalf of your partner.

2 Give Notice

Attend your appointment with ID, proof of address, and any prior marriage documents (decree absolute if divorced). Pay £35 per person.

3 28-Day Waiting Period

Your notice is displayed publicly for 28 days. During this time, anyone can raise an objection to the marriage.

4 Ceremony Can Take Place

After the 28-day period, you can marry anytime within 12 months at your chosen venue.

/ Key fields explained

Field	What to enter	Common mistake
Venue details	The name and address of where the ceremony will take place — must be a registered venue.	Booking a venue that is not registered to conduct marriages — check with the venue before booking.

/ Common mistakes to avoid

Not giving enough notice — the 28-day waiting period is mandatory and cannot be waived.

Non-EEA nationals not allowing 70 days — this requires a separate appointment.

Forgetting the decree absolute if previously divorced.

/ Frequently asked questions

Do both partners need to go?

Yes. Both must give notice individually at their local register office. If you live in different areas, each goes to their own local register office.