The marriage process if you live in different districts
If you live in different register office districts, you each give notice in person at your own local register office rather than travelling to a shared one. Both notices reference the same planned marriage, and once both are given the waiting period runs from whichever notice was given later.
Two appointments, not one
There is no requirement to give notice together in the same building. Each of you books separately with your own local authority, based on where you have lived for the last seven full days.
Why the timing lines up on the later notice
Because the waiting period must run for both of you before you can marry, your effective earliest date is set by whichever of the two notices is given later. Booking both appointments close together avoids one partner's notice sitting unused for longer than necessary.
Coordinating the ceremony district
Neither of your notice districts needs to match the district where you actually marry. The ceremony's registration service is a separate booking again, based on the venue's location.
What this means for you
- Book both partners' notice appointments as close together as possible so neither notice sits idle.
- Your notice district, your partner's notice district and your ceremony district can all be three different places.
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
Find your marriage route
Tell us where you each live and we'll show which register office district covers you and what your route looks like.
Find my marriage route60 seconds · Free · No account needed
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.