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.

Not sure which rules apply to you?

Answer a few quick questions and see your route, your likely register office and your earliest date.

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