How long is the wait for a notice appointment?
There is no fixed national wait for a notice appointment — it depends entirely on your local register office's availability, and it can be longer than the 28-day notice period that follows it, particularly in summer or around popular ceremony dates.
Why appointment waits vary so much
Each local authority runs its own booking system and staffing levels, so a register office in a busy city can have a longer wait for an appointment slot than a quieter district. This is separate from, and additional to, the statutory 28-day notice period.
Seasonal pressure
Demand for notice appointments tends to rise ahead of the traditional wedding season, so booking well ahead of your target ceremony date reduces the risk of the appointment wait pushing your marriage date back.
What to do if you're stuck
If your own register office has no early slots, some couples are able to give notice at a different register office rather than the one nearest home, though you must still meet the residency rules for wherever you give notice — check with the office directly.
What this means for you
- Check your register office's appointment availability before setting a ceremony date, not after.
- The appointment wait, not the 28-day notice period, is usually the least predictable part of the timeline.
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.