Legalities of marrying in England
If you are planning to say “Ido”, you will need to attend a “Notice of Marriage” appointment at the register office in your local borough to comply with the legal formalities of getting married. During the appointment, you will need to provide proof of identity, residency, as well as a decree absolute or death certificate if you have been married before. Remember both parties must have lived at their current address for at least 7 days.
To find out more information and check the documents you will need and the qualifying period please visit the government’s website.
At the appointment, you will also need to confirm where you plan to carry out your civil marriage, as the notice that you give is for the venue you state not for you as individuals. If you need to change the location, you will need to notify the register office and you will need to pay fees again. Your details will be on public display at the district that you have registered for 28 days. After 28 days if there have been no objections the necessary authorities will be issued and will be valid for 12 months.
As you are planning a celebrant-led ceremony, the most cost-effective way is to have a “Statutory Ceremony” known as a simple two plus two ceremony (you, your partner and two witnesses above the age of consent) at any Register Office in the registered district. During the ceremony you will say declaratory words and contractual vows required to legally marry in the UK. There will be no music, no personal vows or exchange of rings, but don’t worry you do all this during your beautiful celebrant-led ceremony in front of all your friends and family.
Declaratory Words and Contractual Vows
The declaratory words you will say are “I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, ‘name’ may not be joined in matrimony to ‘name’.” or “I declare that I know of no legal reason why I, ‘name’, may not be joined in marriage to ‘name’.” Alternatively, you can simply say, “I am” to the question “Are you ‘name’ free lawfully to marry ‘name’?”
The contractual vows are: “I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, ‘name’, do take thee, ‘name’, to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband).” or “I ‘name’ take you ‘name’ to be my wedded wife (or husband)” or “I ‘name’ take thee ‘name’ to be my wedded wife (or husband).”
Fees for a simple, two plus two ceremony (please ask about this type of ceremony if they are not advertised, it is a legal obligation that they are available).
From April 2026 the fees are;
- Notice of Marriage: ~£42 per person (Total: £84).
- Statutory Ceremony Fee: ~ £62 (usually in a small, plain registrar’s office on a weekday).
- Marriage Certificate:~£12.50+.
There may be restrictions on days that a Register Office will hold “Statutory Ceremonies” so it is always best to check.
If you are having a destination wedding it would be better to complete the legal formalities in your home town.
You may have lots of questions about a celebrant-led ceremony, take a look at the most frequent questions I get asked. Hopefully, you will find the answer you are looking for, if now “ask me” and I will get back to you with an answer.
