Marrying in less straightforward circumstances
Most complications are administrative, not legal. These pages explain what extra evidence your circumstances require.
Getting married after divorce
What you need to remarry after a divorce or dissolution: the original final order, overseas divorce evidence, and name-change documents.
Getting married after your spouse has died
How to give notice and remarry after being widowed: the death certificate evidence you need and how it fits into the standard notice process.
Getting married after a civil partnership has ended
If your civil partnership has been dissolved or ended by death, here is the evidence you need to give notice for a new marriage.
Converting your civil partnership into a marriage
How couples already in a civil partnership can convert it to a marriage, without going through the notice and waiting-period process.
Marrying after a divorce that took place abroad
If your previous marriage was ended by a divorce granted outside the UK, here is how register offices assess it before you can give notice.
Getting married when you and your partner live in different districts
Couples living in different council areas each give notice locally. Here is how that works and how it affects your ceremony booking.
Getting married after you have already changed your name
If you changed your name before your wedding, here is how to make sure your notice paperwork and documents match up.
Getting married if you do not have a fixed address
You can still give notice of marriage without a permanent home address. Here is how register offices handle it.
Getting married at home or in hospital
If a serious illness or disability means you cannot travel, marriage can be arranged at home or in hospital under specific legal routes.
Getting married with access needs or a disability
Register offices and approved venues have duties to make ceremonies accessible. Here is what to check and ask for when planning your wedding.
Getting married while serving in the armed forces
Serving personnel follow the same notice and marriage rules as everyone else, with some practical adjustments for postings and deployment.
Can you get married under 18 in England and Wales?
The minimum age to marry in England and Wales is 18, with no exceptions for parental consent. Here is what that means in practice.
Getting married when you are housebound or detained
Specific legal arrangements exist for people who cannot attend a register office because they are housebound or held in custody.
Getting married after changing your name by deed poll
If you use a deed poll name, here is how to make sure it matches your identity documents for your notice appointment.
Getting married when your documents are in different names
If your passport, address proof and other documents do not all show the same name, here is how to get your notice appointment to go smoothly.
Marrying when you've recently moved to England or Wales
What the residence rules mean for giving notice of marriage if you've only just moved to your current address.
Marrying when one of you is a student living away from home
How to handle notice of marriage when one partner lives in term-time accommodation away from their family home.
Can you marry before a divorce is fully finalised?
Why you must wait for a final divorce order before giving notice of a new marriage, and what to check if your case is still going through the courts.
Marrying when you have children from a previous relationship: what changes legally?
What getting married does and does not change legally when one or both of you already have children from before this relationship.
Marrying when one of you works away or offshore
How to plan notice appointments and a wedding date around rotational, offshore or frequently-travelling work schedules.
Not sure which rules apply to you?
Answer a few quick questions and see your route, your likely register office and your earliest date.
Take the free marriage check