Simply Married

What is the 70-day notice period?

A 70-day wait applies when a notice of marriage is referred to the Home Office for further checks, usually because one or both of you is subject to immigration control. Instead of the standard 28 days, you must wait up to 70 days before the marriage can take place.

When a notice gets referred

Register offices assess every notice against the marriage and civil partnership referral and investigation scheme. If either of you does not hold settled status, is not a British or Irish citizen, or otherwise falls within the scheme, your notice is referred to the Home Office.

A referral does not mean anyone suspects wrongdoing — it applies by category, not by individual judgement of your relationship.

What happens during the 70 days

The Home Office has the referral period to investigate and can, in some cases, extend it further while enquiries continue. You cannot marry until the wait has ended and any investigation has concluded.

Planning around it

If you know your circumstances mean a referral is likely, build 70 days into your planning from the outset rather than assuming the standard 28 days. Booking a ceremony venue for a date inside that window is the most common avoidable mistake.

What this means for you

  • Check whether either of you is subject to immigration control before you set a ceremony date.
  • A 70-day referral is routine, not a sign your marriage is in doubt.

Official sources

Last reviewed: 17 August 2026 · Next review due 17 November 2026

See your earliest likely marriage date

The free check applies the waiting period that fits your circumstances and shows the earliest date you could realistically marry.

See my earliest date

60 seconds · Free · No account needed

Related questions

Related guides

The 28-day marriage notice periodHow the 28-day notice period works, when it becomes 70 days, and how it interacts with appointment waiting times.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.When does the notice period start?The notice period begins on the day you give notice in person, not on the day you book the appointment or receive confirmation.

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.