How to legally register your marriage
At present, our outdated Marriage Law does not unfortunately allow a celebrant ceremony to be legally binding. In fact it’s remained largely unchanged since 1836! We are hopeful this will change soon. Currently you can only obtain your legal papers during a Religious Ceremony or via the Registry Office.
Registering your marriage via the Registry Office is a simple process. For a minimum fee ask for a ‘Statutory Ceremony’. This is a low fuss / low fee ceremony (approx. £50) and can happen before or after your ceremony at your venue. With this ceremony you simply state the declaratory words;
I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I … may not be joined in matrimony to …
and contractual words
I call upon these persons here present to witness that I … do take thee … to be my lawful wedded husband/wife/partner)
and then sign the marriage register.
You will need two guests to act as your witnesses, there is no need to wear fancy frocks, include music, personal vows or even exchange wedding rings if you don’t want to, saving all of these instead for your day at your gorgeous venue.
All Registry Offices have to offer a Statutory Ceremony but they may not advertise them and only do them on certain days of the week. They don’t have to take place in the district that you live so you can shop around Offices to find something that suits you.
Both of you will need to attend a Register Office within the district of your residence to give ‘Notice of Marriage’ prior to your Statutory Ceremony. At this appointment, you will need to prove your identity and nationality, your freedom to marry and your residency. These cost £35 per person, have a look here for more details;
www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships/documents-to-take-to-the-register-office
Once you have attended this appointment, your details will be on public display in that Registration district for 29 days, after which your marriage authorities will be issued and your Statutory Ceremony can take place – see, easy peasy!
