How much does a marriage certificate cost?
A marriage certificate is a certified copy of your marriage entry, ordered after the wedding. The fee is set nationally rather than by individual councils, and the exact current amount is best confirmed with GOV.UK or the register office holding your record, since fees are reviewed from time to time.
What you are actually buying
The certificate is a certified extract from the marriage register, used for things like changing your name with banks, passports and HMRC, or proving your marriage for visa applications.
Signing the marriage schedule on your wedding day does not give you a certificate automatically — you order copies separately, either on the day through the register office or later online.
Ordering on the day versus later
Many register offices let you pre-order certificates so they are ready shortly after your ceremony, which can be more convenient than ordering afterwards. Ask when you book your ceremony whether this is offered.
You can also order certified copies at any point afterwards, including years later, through the General Register Office or the local register office that holds the original entry.
How many you need
Most couples only need one or two certified copies — organisations that ask to see it will usually accept a certified copy rather than the original, and some accept it and hand it straight back after checking.
Ordering extra copies later, if you need one for a specific purpose, is usually possible rather than something you must decide on the wedding day.
What this means for you
- Do not assume a certificate is automatically issued — you need to actively order and pay for it.
- Check current pricing directly with GOV.UK or your register office rather than relying on what a friend paid, as fees change.
- One certified copy is usually enough for most name-change and visa purposes.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — Order a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate
- GOV.UK — Fees for marriages and civil partnerships
Last reviewed: 17 August 2026 · Next review due 17 November 2026
Not sure which rules apply to you?
Answer a few quick questions and see your route, your likely register office and your earliest date. 60 seconds, free, no account needed.
Take the free marriage check60 seconds · Free · No account needed
Related questions
Related guides
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.