Simply Married

Legal requirements for marriage in England and Wales

To marry in England or Wales you must both be at least 18, not already married or in a civil partnership, not closely related, and able to consent. You must also each give notice at the register office for the district where you have lived for at least the last seven days.

Age

Both parties must be at least 18. Marriage at 16 or 17 with parental consent is no longer possible in England and Wales.

Free to marry

Any previous marriage or civil partnership must have ended, and you must be able to evidence it with an original final order, decree absolute, dissolution order or death certificate.

Photocopies and scans are not accepted at a notice appointment.

Relationship and capacity

You must not be within the prohibited degrees of relationship. Both of you must understand the nature of marriage and be consenting freely; a registrar who suspects otherwise must not proceed.

Residency and notice

Each of you must have lived in your notice district for at least the last seven full days before the appointment, and must give notice in person.

What this means for you

  • The evidence, not the fact, is what holds couples up — originals only.
  • If either of you is subject to immigration control, the notice route and waiting period change.

Official sources

Last reviewed: 16 August 2026 · Next review due 16 November 2026

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Related guides

What documents do I need to get married?The documents to bring to your notice appointment: photo identity, proof of address, and evidence that any previous marriage has ended.Getting married after divorceWhat you need to remarry after a divorce or dissolution: the original final order, overseas divorce evidence, and name-change documents.Marrying a foreign national in England and WalesWhat changes when one of you is subject to immigration control: referred notices, the 70-day period, and the documents required.

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.