How do you get your marriage certificate after the wedding?
After the ceremony, the marriage is registered and you can order certified copies of the marriage certificate, either on the day through your registrar or venue, or later from the General Register Office or your local register office. You will usually need at least one certified copy for changing your name or updating official records.
What happens straight after the ceremony
You, your witnesses and the registrar or authorised person sign the marriage document at the ceremony. Many register offices and venues let you order certificates on the day, though it can take a little time to process the entry before a certified copy is issued.
Ordering copies later
If you did not order one at the time, or need extra copies later, you can order certified copies through the General Register Office or the register office for the district where you married. You will usually need details such as the date and district of the marriage to make the order.
Why you might need more than one copy
Different organisations — banks, passport services, employers — may each want to see or retain an original certified copy rather than a photocopy, so it is often worth ordering more than one if you plan to change your name in several places at once.
What this means for you
- Photocopies are not accepted by most official bodies; you need certified copies for each purpose that requires one.
- Ordering extra copies at the time of registration is often quicker than requesting them later.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — Order a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate
- 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.