Marrying when one of you works away or offshore
Working away or offshore doesn't change the legal notice process, but both of you must attend your own notice appointment in person, so the main practical task is booking that appointment — and ideally your ceremony too — around a work rota well in advance, since neither can usually be done by post or online alone.
Notice still needs an in-person appointment
Each partner must attend their own notice appointment in person at the relevant register office — this can't be done remotely or by a proxy. If your work involves rotational shifts, offshore placements or extended postings, you'll need to plan the appointment around your time onshore or on leave.
The 28-day window still applies
Once you give notice, the standard 28-day waiting period runs regardless of your work pattern. Time your notice appointment for a period when you're confident you'll also be available to attend the ceremony 28 days or more later — allow extra margin if your rota isn't fully fixed yet.
Booking the ceremony itself
Register offices and venues need a confirmed date, so avoid booking a slot that clashes with an unavoidable rotation. If your work schedule is genuinely unpredictable, discuss flexible rebooking policies with your register office or venue before you commit to a date.
What this means for you
- Plan your notice appointment for a period you're confidently onshore or off-rotation.
- Build extra margin into your 28-day countdown in case work commitments shift.
- Check a venue's rebooking policy before committing to a date if your schedule can change at short notice.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — Give notice at your local register office
- GOV.UK — Marriages and civil partnerships in the UK
Last reviewed: 17 August 2026 · Next review due 17 November 2026
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Simply Married is an independent planning service, not a register office or government department. Confirm current requirements and fees with your own register office and on GOV.UK.