Marriage & Civil Partnership Law in England and Wales
Under the current Law for civil marriage and civil partnership in England and Wales, celebrant led ceremonies have no legal status. To be legally married or to form a civil partnership a couple must have a separate civil ceremony in the presence of 2 witnesses and 1 or 2 registrars’ depending on whether they are getting married or forming a civil partnership.

For a ceremony to be legal it can only take place at a register office, at an approved premises, or at a church, chapel or other religious building which has been registered for the solemnisation of marriages or civil partnerships. The exception to the above is marriages according to the Jewish faith or the Society of Friends (Quakers), which can take place anywhere.

How to give notice of a marriage or civil partnership
To get married or form a civil partnership, couples must attend an interview, providing proof of identity and nationality, proof of address and sign a legal statement at their local Registry Office in the presence of a Superintendent Registrar. This is the giving notice stage of proceedings which will cost you £42 each.

Couples must have lived in their resident county for at least 7 whole days and must give notice at least 29 calendar days before their ceremony, but this may be longer if either is subject to immigration control. The ceremony must take place within 12 months of giving notice.

How to book a registrar for your ceremony
If you intend to get married or form a civil partnership at your local Registry Office or an approved premises (because you have chosen to have a celebrant-led ceremony) you can go ahead and do this before or after you have given notice. The register office will recommend that you book the ceremony first, however, you can still give notice if you have decided on a venue but not confirmed a date for your ceremony.

When you give notice, you must state the venue in which your ceremony will take place and this cannot be changed afterwards. If you wish to change the venue or you have stated an incorrect venue, you will have to begin the process again and enter a new notice of intention.

To hold a ceremony at your local Registry Office you can book a registrar up to one year before your ceremony, and up to two years for an approved premises. It’s best to do this as early as possible to ensure a registrar is available on the date you have in mind.

Up until 31 October 2024, registering your marriage or civil partnership at your local Registry Office will cost you £81, which includes the cost of two certificates. This fee must be paid in full when you book. The costs increase substantially if you want a ceremony held at an approved premises or a community venue.

The Legal Ceremony
At your legal ceremony, you both must attend with 2 witnesses. There is no dress code, the decision of what to wear is entirely yours.

The ceremony at the Registry Office will take approximately 10-15 minutes with a small gathering of guests, it is a prescribed service with limited choices, and no room for any flexibility.

A short statement about marriage will be given and you will be required to repeat the legal declaration and contracting words for a marriage and repeat or confirm you have read and understood the declaration words for a civil partnership. You do not have to exchange rings which is a symbolic gesture and does not form part of the legal ceremony. Once your ceremony ends you and your witnesses, and the registrar(s) officiating your ceremony then sign a schedule. The details of the schedule are then entered into the General Register Office computer system by the registrar(s) and a copy certificate of your official marriage or civil partnership is sent out to you approximately 10 to 14 days after your ceremony.

From 1 November 2024, the Registry Office ceremony will no longer be offered. It will be replaced with the You Plus Two marriage ceremony. This is an intimate ceremony for just the couple and their two witnesses. It costs £56 to get married or form a civil partnership in the Essex Register Office. Each certificate costs £12.50. You can choose how many certificates you would like to purchase, but this must be paid in full at the time of booking.

For the You Plus Two marriage ceremony, the couple can choose from one of three options for their declaration and contracting words. There isn’t an opportunity to select your ceremony script, nor to have readings, music, or personal vows as part of the occasion. The exchange of rings is not a requirement but is allowed if a couple wishes this to happen. The couple will still be asked to recite the declaration and contracting words after the registrar before signing the schedule. The details of the schedule are then entered into the General Register Office computer system by the registrar(s) and a copy certificate of your official marriage or civil partnership is posted to you by 2nd Class within 21 working days of the ceremony taking place.

What many couples do not realise, once they have said the declaration and contracting words for a marriage, as prescribed by law in the presence of 2 witnesses and 2 registrars, they are legally married. And, for a civil partnership, the couple will be asked to recite the declaration words after the registrar, or by reading from the schedule, before signing the schedule to form a legal partnership as prescribed by law in the presence of 2 witnesses and 1 registrar.