Getting married in England
Marrying in England follows the law of England and Wales. You each give notice at the register office for the district where you have lived for at least the last seven full days, wait the statutory notice period, and then marry at a register office, an approved venue or a religious building able to register marriages.
Where you give notice in England
Notice is given locally, in person, by each of you. If you live in different council areas you attend two different register offices, which is completely normal.
You must have lived in that district for at least the last seven full days before the appointment. If you have just moved, count the days carefully before booking.
Where you can legally marry
A civil ceremony can take place at a register office or at a venue approved for civil marriage by the local authority — typically hotels, historic houses and some public buildings.
Religious ceremonies are handled differently depending on the faith and the building's registration status. Church of England and Church in Wales weddings can often proceed by banns rather than civil notice.
Who books the registrars
For a civil ceremony outside a register office, the registration service for the district where the venue sits provides the registrars — not the district where you gave notice.
Registrar availability, not venue availability, is often the real constraint on popular Saturdays.
What this means for you
- Two districts can be involved: one for each notice, plus the ceremony district.
- Check registrar availability with the ceremony district before you pay a venue deposit.
- Seven full days of residence is a hard requirement, not a formality.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — Give notice at your local register office
- GOV.UK — Marriages and civil partnerships in the UK
Last reviewed: 16 August 2026 · Next review due 16 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.