Give notice of a marriage or civil partnership

Documents required

• When giving your notice of marriage or civil partnership you will need to produce evidence of your identity and nationality. If you do not have a current passport, staff at the Register Office will advise you which documents to bring.
• You must also bring along proof of your address - a council tax or a recent utility bill is acceptable. If you were born on or after 1st January 1983 and do not have a current UK passport you will also need to bring your mother's birth certificate (or your father, if he is named on your birth certificate).
• If either of you has been married/civil partnered before, either in this country or abroad and you are divorced, you will need to show proof of your divorce/dissolution. If the divorce was granted in England or Wales you will need to show a court stamped copy of the divorce Decree Absolute/Dissolution. If the divorce was granted in a foreign country we will need to see the original document issued by that country, along with a translation into English, if it is in a foreign language.
• If either of you is a widow or widower we will need to see a certified copy of your former spouse's death certificate from the Registration Authorities of the country where the death occurred. The marriage/civil partnership certificate may also be required in certain cases.
• If you have already married/civil partnered each other in a foreign country, you only need to do so in the UK if you think that the marriage/civil partnership is not legally recognised. If you decide to get married/civil partnered here, you will need to provide any documents relating to the marriage/civil partnership issued by that country when you give notice of your marriage/civil partnership.
• A fee of £35 per person is payable at the time you produce your documents at your local register office to give notice of marriage or civil partnership.  This fee is payable regardless of where your marriage/civil partnership is to take place.

If you do not bring the required documents with you for your appointment to see the registrar we will be unable to take your notice of marriage/civil partnership.

Legal requirements

Both parties are required to give notice of their intention to get married/civil partnered, in person, to the Superintendent Registrar for the area in which they have had their usual residence for the preceding seven days. The marriage/civil partnership must take place within twelve months of this date. 

However, if you are subject to immigration control you and the person you wish to marry/civil partner must give notice at a specially designated Register Office (one of these is Bristol Register Office) within England and Wales. Once both notices have been entered into the marriage notice book it will be 15 days before the Superintendent Registrar's authority can be issued for the marriage/civil partnership to take place.

Getting married/civil partnered outside England and Wales

Marriage and civil partnership laws differ greatly throughout the world. You may be using a reputable holiday company who will give you guidance or you may wish to contact the embassy or consulate of the country where you want to get married/civil partnered. If the country is within the United Kingdom contact a Register Office within that county for advice.

Getting married/civil partnered below the age of consent

If either of you is under 18 you will need the consent of your parents or guardian. You can obtain a form for this purpose from the Register Office. Please telephone the Register Office for further information.

Marriage/civil partnership where one or both parties are foreign citizens

Unless you are a British citizen, an EEA national, an EEA family member or you have in your passport a certificate of entitlement giving you the right of abode in the UK, you will be subject to immigration control.

You and the person you wish to marry/civil partner must both have been resident in a district in England or Wales for at least seven consecutive days and nights. You will both need to give notice to a designated register office. Bristol Register Office is one of the 76 designated register offices within England and Wales.

If one or both of you are subject to immigration control and have all the required documents we can take notice from you and the person you wish to marry/civil partner, even if you do not live within the Bristol area.

For further information please contact the Bristol Register Office.

Getting married/civil partnered quickly

(When one partner is terminally ill)

The Registrar General may issue a licence for a marriage or civil partnership to take place quickly where one party is terminally ill and is not expected to recover. If the marriage is to be according to the rites of the Church of England you must contact a clergyman of the Church of England. For a civil marriage or civil partnership ceremony, or a marriage ceremony according to any other denomination or religion please contact the Superintendent Registrar of the district where the marriage is to take place.

Ceremonies at the Register Office and other venues

Weddings, civil partnerships and other ceremonies
For information on ceremonies at The Old Council House please contact Bristol Register Office or to make an appointment to view the rooms for a wedding, civil partnership, naming ceremony or renewal of vows ceremony.  Viewing times are generally Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9 to 9.30am.

• Find out more about the Old Council House
• Our full list of approved venues
• Full details of fees for Registrar attendance