Marriages

Any two people, regardless of where they live, can marry in Northern Ireland provided that:

• They are 18 or above on the day of their marriage (consent must be obtained for those aged between 16 and 18)
• They are not related to one another in a way that would prevent them from getting married
• Neither of them is already a civil partner or is legally married
• They are not of the same sex
• They are capable of understanding the nature of a marriage ceremony and consenting to marry

The types of marriage ceremony are:

• Civil marriage in the Registrar's office in Antrim Civic Centre or in an approved venue (subject to the availability of the Registrar)
• Religious marriage

MARRIAGE NOTICE FORMS

A Marriage Notice Form lasts for 12 months from the date of notice.

Fees

A standard charge of £44.00 (£22 per person) applies to fill out your marriage notice forms and this should be paid when you return your forms to the Registrar.

Documents you will need

When returning your marriage notice forms, both parties must provide the following documents:

• Your full (long version) birth certificate (authorised photocopies are not acceptable)
• Your passport
• A consent form (if you are aged 16-17). These are available from the Registrar
• If you have been married before and the marriage was dissolved, a certificate of divorce of annulment or a certified copy decree (decrees must be absolute or final)
• If you have been married more than once, only the documents for your most recent marriage are required
• If you have entered into a civil partnership before, a court order of dissolution for that partnership
• If you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner, the death certificate of your former spouse or civil partner

Full terms and conditions relating to these documents, as well as information about nationality requirements, are available from the guidance notes which accompany your Marriage Notice Form.
 
When to Give Notice

You must tell us about your plans to get married in the 12 month period before your wedding date, and no later than 14 days before your ceremony. Notices should usually be with the Registrar about eight weeks before your ceremony, but, if either of you has been married before, forms should be submitted ten weeks before. No appointment is necessary.

You should return all the relevant supporting documents with your Marriage Notice Forms and the fee. 

Type of Marriage

If you are having a religious ceremony, you should speak to your officiant before filling out your Marriage Notice Form as he/she will need to sign them. Your forms should then be posted or delivered to the Registrar. If you are having a civil ceremony, you should make advance arrangements with the Registrar. This is particularly important during busy times of the year. 

Returning Your Forms

Marriage Notice Forms do not have to be returned in person, but it can be useful if they are as it allows the Registrar to check them and ask any questions. You must both sign a declaration on the notice forms, stating that the information you and your partner have given is correct. The Registrar can then prepare your marriage schedule from the information you have provided, allowing your wedding to take place. 

What Happens Next?

Civil Ceremony

If you are having a civil ceremony, the Registrar will contact you a few days before the ceremony to confirm any last minute arrangements. On the day of the marriage, the Registrar will bring the marriage schedule to the ceremony. The schedule will then be signed by both partners, two witnesses and the Registrar on the day of your ceremony.

Religious Ceremony

If you are having a religious ceremony, at least one of you must visit the Registrar's office before your ceremony to collect your marriage schedule. The Registrar will have notified you in advance of the earliest date you could collect your schedule. You should then ensure that you give this to your Officiant in advance of the wedding. The schedule will then be signed by both partners, the Officiant and two witnesses on the day of your ceremony.

After the Marriage ceremony?

Civil Ceremony

The Registrar will keep the signed schedule and register your marriage, at which point a marriage certificate can be issued at a cost of £8.00.  After the date of registration the cost will be £15.00 per certificate.

Religious Ceremony

The signed schedule must be returned to the issuing Registrar within 3days of the marriage (anyone can return the schedule).  The marriage will be registered and a marriage certificate issued at a cost of £8.00.  After the date of registration the cost will be £15.00 per certificate. 

CIVIL CEREMONIES

Formal notice cannot be taken more than 12 months before the date of marriage but we do strongly recommend that you make a provisional booking with the registrar as soon as you have a specific date in mind and this can be further than 12 months in advance of your marriage. Please note that all dates are subject to availability.

The appropriate fee should be submitted when you return your Marriage Notice Form.

Marriages can take place Monday to Saturday.

Antrim Civic Centre

Antrim Civic Centre offers a modern, purpose built Marriage Suite with private entrance. We also have a beautifully landscaped and mature garden area that would be ideal for those special photographs. Civil marriages can take place in one of two rooms:

• Whinstone Suite which seats up to 45 people
• Steeple Suite which seats up to 85 people

Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm)	£140
Saturday (up to 3pm)	£375
Public Holidays	£430

Old Courthouse

The Old Courthouse in Antrim's Market Square, able to accomodate up to 130 people, offers the attraction of a beautiful historic, yet modern and versatile building within a Conservation Area as a stylish back-drop for that most special of days.

Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm)	£230
Saturday (up to 3pm) & Public Holidays	£300

Antrim Castle Gardens & Clotworthy House

Antrim Castle Gardens and Clotworthy House have recently enjoyed a renovation to restore the historic and traditional beauty of the area. A stunning background for your big day, the picturesque grounds will ensure the most beautiful photographs and memories. Clotworthy House offers two rooms for marriages:

• The Massereene Room with up to 50 seats
• The Oriel Gallery which can host up to 60 people

Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm)	£160
Saturday (up to 3pm) & Public Holidays	£230

Approved Venues

Civil Marriages can also take place in an approved venue (Monday - Saturday), subject to the availability of a Registrar. The following venues have been approved by the Registrar to hold civil ceremonies:

• Dunsilly Hotel
• Dunadry Hotel & Country Club
• Hilton Hotel
• Templeton Hotel
• Maldron Hotel Belfast International Airport
• Castle Upton
• Shanes Castle
• Maid of Antrim

Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm)	£140
Saturday (up to 3pm) & Public Holidays	£140

Cancellation

If you change your plans or decide to postpone your ceremony, you must notify the Registrar as soon as possible.

 
RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES

Religious marriages can take place anywhere in Antrim Borough, provided you have the approval of the appropriate religious body. If you choose to have a religious ceremony in Antrim Borough, you will still need to complete Marriage Notice Forms and deliver/post them to the Registrar at Antrim Civic Centre.

The fee for a couple giving notice of marriage for a religious ceremony is £44.00 (£22.00 per person). Payment can be made by cash, cheque or card (Cheques should be made payable to Antrim Borough Council)

Choosing an Officiant

A religious marriage can only be solemnised by an officiant who has been registered as an officiant and authorised by the Registrar General. You should contact your officiant well in advance of your chosen wedding date to ask them to sign your Marriage Notice Forms.

Marriage Schedule

Once your Marriage Notice Forms, Identification and fee have been returned to the Registrar, a marriage schedule will be prepared. The marriage schedule cannot be issued more than 14 days before your wedding date and you will be informed when this is ready for collection. The schedule can only be collected in person by the bride or groom.

You should give your marriage schedule to your officiant in advance of the marriage ceremony. After the ceremony, the signed marriage schedule must be returned to the Antrim District Registrar within 3 days of the marriage. Anyone can return the schedule to the Registrar; it does not have to be the bride or groom.  On return of the schedule the marriage will be registered and a marriage certificate can be issued at a cost of £8.00 (if paid at time of registration).  Cost of certificate after date of registration is £15.00.

Cancellation

If your marriage ceremony does not take place, you must notify the Registrar as soon as possible and return your marriage schedule.

Related Documents

Ceremonies Guide