Witness requirements for a legal marriage
Every marriage in England and Wales needs at least two witnesses present at the ceremony, who sign the marriage schedule or register afterwards. There is no formal accreditation required — witnesses simply need to be old enough to understand what they are witnessing and able to sign their name.
Who can be a witness
There is no set list of eligible witnesses in law, and no requirement that they be related to you or previously known to the registration service. Most register offices expect witnesses to be capable adults who understand the significance of what they are signing.
Some venues or register offices set a practical minimum age, commonly around 16, though this is a local practice rather than a national legal minimum.
What witnesses actually do
Witnesses observe the ceremony and then sign the marriage document to confirm it took place. They do not need to say anything during the ceremony itself.
If you cannot bring your own witnesses
If you turn up without anyone to act as a witness, register office staff can sometimes act as witnesses instead, though this is not guaranteed and is worth confirming with the office beforehand.
What this means for you
- Arrange your two witnesses in advance rather than assuming staff will be available to fill in.
- Bring witnesses who are comfortable signing an official document under their usual name.
Official sources
Last reviewed: 17 August 2026 · Next review due 17 November 2026
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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.