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A Marriage Notice Form helps the Registrar collect information about your ceremony and prepare your details for registration.
About the Forms
Both parties should fill out a Marriage Notice Form and return them to the Registrar of the district in which you are to marry, along with the relevant documents and fees e.g. if your marriage takes place in Antrim, but you live in Belfast, you will need to submit your marriage notice forms in Antrim.
A marriage notice form lasts for 12 months from the date of notice.
Fees
A standard charge of £40.00 (£20 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 £14.00 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 £14.00 per certificate.
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