Legal Preliminaries

Unless you are marrying in the Church of England or Church in Wales by Banns or Common Licence, you and your partner must personally attend the register office for the district(s)where you live and must each give notice of your marriage to the Superintendent Registrar. A Notice is a legal document, identifying the two of you who are getting married and the place of your marriage. You and your partner must now give not more than 12 months notice, of your intention to marry. Separate notices must be signed by each of the persons being married, so a friend or relative cannot give notice for you. A separate fee will be charged for each notice issued.

After you each give your Notice, you will both receive documents called a Marriage Authority, unless your marriage is going to take place within your district of residence. These documents confirm that everything is in order and allows your marriage to take place.

You can choose to marry in any register office in England or Wales even though you do not live in the district covered by that office. You can also marry in approved premises. There are currently 25 premises approved as venues for civil ceremonies of marriage in Herefordshire. These range from a stately Castle to comfortable, first class hotels and even the local race course has much to offer those with a sporting disposition. A full list of these venues is provided elsewhere in this brochure.

To make a provisional booking you should contact the register office that is responsible for the district in which you wish to marry. However, you must still comply with legal requirements for each of you to give notice in the district or districts where you and your partner live. This must be done no more than 12 months before your wedding. If you have already made a provisional booking you should each give notice as soon as you legally can.

Once the initial arrangements have been made,you must each give formal notice of the event. If you or your partner live in different areas, you will need to give notice in both areas.

Last Updated: 02 January 05,
Review Date: 20 September 2005