Name
Premises approval for marriage or civil ceremonies
Summary

Before a civil ceremony can take place at a venue in Herefordshire, the venue must be approved by the Herefordshire Registration Service.

Requirements for approval include:

  • The premises must be a permanent and immovable structure (this excludes marquees)
  • The premises must be regularly available to the public
  • The premises cannot be religious in nature

If you are interested in becoming an approval holder, we can arrange an informal visit to your premises before you apply.

About this licence

Approval of premises for civil marriage and civil partnership on GOV.UK

Legislation

The Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005

Fees

Fees from 1 January 2025

Type 3 year licence 5 year licence 7 year licence 10 year licence
First time and renewal applications, includes 2 rooms £1,750 £2,600 £3,475 £4,700
Addition of extra rooms (cost per room - 3 maximum additional rooms = 5 in total) £255 £360 £460 £615
Appeal against refusal to issue a licence or revocation of licence £1,325 £1,325 £1,325 £1,325
Application and guidance notes

Please read the guide to approved premises before making your application.

Apply online

To pay for your application please complete the online payment form.

You will need to attach the following documents to your application:

  • Fire risk assessment
  • Planning certificate (if appropriate)
  • Three sets of plans of the premises indicating the proposed ceremony room(s) and interview rooms(s)
  • Confirmation of public liability insurance

If you are unsure of anything or need any further information please contact us.

Processing and timescales

As part of the application process, we will inspect your premises and display the details in the public notices on our website for 21 days.

Your fire risk assessment will also be referred to the Fire Service.

To be granted, your application must be in the correct format and your premises deemed suitable. However, we may still refuse your application if it is felt that there are too may approved premises in the area for the registrars to attend.

Conditions will be imposed on your approval. The Registrar General may issue guidance for us to assist us in making our decision.

Please allow at least 2 months for the application to be processed.

Current applications

Current applications for premises approval for marriage or civil ceremonies

Complaints
Contact us in the first instance.
Contact details