Marriage, civil partnerships and ceremonies

Where a civil marriage or civil partnership can take place in the UK

Under current legislation a civil marriage can only take place between a man and a woman whilst a civil partnership can only take place between two men or two women.

A civil marriage or civil partnership ceremony can take place in any registration office in England and Wales, or in a licensed room at a venue approved by the local authority. (Please note you can only marry outdoors if the venue has approval by the local authority for a fixed, permanent outside structure). Legislation introduced in December 2011 also allows for civil partnership registration in religious buildings, provided the room (s) have been licensed for the purpose by the local authority.

Booking a marriage or civil partnership

To find out how to book please first visit the marriage and civil partnership in the UK page and then use the contact details it contains.

Fees

A notice of marriage or civil partnership is £33.50 per person.

Registration office ceremonies

The fees below are applicable from 1 April 2011 until 31 March 2012 and are subject to change.

Available Monday to Saturday, excluding bank holidays

  • Standard room (for couple and two witnesses only) £40
  • Ceremony room (Brooke, Keats, Tennyson and Wordsworth Rooms) for couple and up to 50 guests depending on location:

Monday to Friday up to 10.30 £50

Monday to Thursday from 11.00 £150

Friday from 11.00 £195

Saturday all day £195


The fees below are applicable from 1 April 2012 until 31 March 2013 and are subject to change.

  • Standard room (for couple and two witnesses only) £40
  • Ceremony room (Brooke, Keats, Tennyson and Wordsworth Rooms) for couple and up to 50 guests depending on location:

Monday to Friday up to 10.30 £50

Monday to Thursday from 11.00 £155

Friday from 11.00 £200

Saturday all day £200


Registrar to attend to register a marriage in a church or chapel

Monday to Sunday £80 Statutory fee

Ceremony at Approved Venues

The fees below are applicable from 1 April 2011 until 31 March 2012 and are subject to change.


Monday to Saturday £395

Sunday and Bank Holiday £485


The fees below are applicable from 1 April 2012 until 31 March 2013 and are subject to change.


Monday to Saturday £400

Sunday and Bank Holiday £490

In addition to the fees shown above, each certificate issued on the day is £3.50.


Naming and renewals

In Poets' Rooms Monday to Saturday fees are the same as for ceremony rooms shown above.

At approved venues or other venues:


Monday to Saturday £185

Sunday £225


Health and safety inspection fees, which are payable for venues such as gardens and marquees, are:


Monday to Friday £50

Saturday £75

Sunday £100


Last updated: Wednesday 01 February 2012, 18:51