Marriage and Cohabitation
Since 1837 there has been compulsory registration of births, deaths and marriages in the United Kingdom. Each Local authority must, by law, provide this facility as well as the provision of a place licensed for civil marriage and a registrar available to register marriages at legally approved places of worship which do not hold their own register.
Herefordshire is becoming one of the most popular Counties in which to be married. This follows the 1994 Marriage Act that allows the ceremony to take place in approved locations, other than the six official register offices. Couples from all over the Country are now choosing this delightful historic County to be married in. If you wish to be married within the County you can do so either by civil or religious ceremony. A religious ceremony can take place at a church or chapel of the Church of England or Church in Wales, or at any other place of worship which has been formally registered by the Registrar General for Marriages.
A civil ceremony in Herefordshire can take place in a register office or other premises approved by the Council for marriages. There are six registration districts in the County of Herefordshire: Bromyard, Hereford, Kington, Ledbury, Leominster and Ross. Our main office is located in the City of Hereford and is open Monday ,Tuesday,Wednesday and Friday 9.30-12.30 and 14.00-16.00, Thursday 09.30-12.30,whilst the other offices, which only open part-time, have answering machines which will tell you their opening hours.
The Herefordshire Council is a Unitary Authority, and as such is responsible for all local authority services within the County of Hereford. Since its inception on 1st April 1998, the Herefordshire Council aims to provide quality services and places great emphasis on the 'local and personal' service it provides, reinforcing the importance of the public in the shaping and delivery of the registration service. The facilities available in our register offices reflect this and our aim is to provide the facilities that you would like on your special day. A register office marriage does not have to be the simple ceremony it once was. All our marriage rooms are attractively furnished and decorated. The options available enable you to chose a ceremony ranging from a simple affair with just two witnesses, to the inclusion of bridesmaids, the bride being 'given away' and with music and readings of your choice. For music and readings the law requires that there be no religious content in the civil ceremony, so you must agree any items chosen with the appropriate Superintendent Registrar beforehand.
You can obtain an up-to-date list of premises within Herefordshire that have been approved as venues for civil marriage ceremonies, other than register offices, from all main council offices and register offices. You can also telephone 01432 260565 or email: registrars@herefordshire.gov.uk to request a copy.
All register offices in Herefordshire accept bookings for weddings up to 12 months in advance and may accept a provisional booking for weddings a little way in advance of this time.
Each register office runs its own appointment system for weddings and you should contact the Superintendent Registrar of the district where you wish to marry to find out when they are available.
