Simply MarriedEngland & Wales

How long after giving notice can you get married?

You must wait at least 28 clear days after giving notice before you can marry (70 days if either of you is subject to immigration control), and your notice then remains valid for up to 12 months from the date it was given. Marrying any time inside that window is fine; leaving it later than 12 months means giving notice again.

The minimum wait

The 28-day period exists so your intention to marry can be publicly displayed and checked before the ceremony goes ahead. You cannot marry before this period ends, even if both of you are ready sooner, unless a Registrar General's licence applies in limited emergency circumstances.

The 12-month upper limit

Notice doesn't stay valid indefinitely — it expires 12 months after the date you gave it. If your ceremony date falls after that point, you'll need to give notice again and pay the notice fee a second time.

Choosing a date inside the window

Most couples give notice with a comfortable gap before their chosen date, well clear of the 28-day (or 70-day) minimum, but still well inside the 12-month limit. This avoids both the risk of the ceremony date falling too soon and the risk of the notice lapsing before the wedding.

  • Earliest possible date: 28 days after notice (70 for referral cases)
  • Latest possible date: 12 months after notice
  • A Registrar General's licence can shorten the wait only in specific emergency situations

What this means for you

  • Plan your notice date so your wedding falls comfortably inside the 28-day-to-12-month window.
  • Don't leave your ceremony date too close to the 12-month mark — delays could push you past it.
  • The 28-day wait is a legal minimum, not a target — most couples give notice well ahead of it.

Official sources

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

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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.How long is notice of marriage valid for?A notice of marriage is valid for 12 months from the date it is given — what that means if your wedding date changes.What is a Registrar General's licence?A Registrar General's licence allows marriage without the usual notice period for couples where one person is seriously ill and not expected to recover.

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.