How to give notice of marriage
Book an appointment with the register office for the district where you have lived for the last seven days, attend in person with your identity documents, proof of address and any evidence that a previous marriage has ended, pay the fee, and answer the registrar's questions. Your notice is then displayed for the statutory waiting period.
Book the appointment
Most councils book notice appointments online. Waits of two to four weeks are common in busy districts and longer in peak season, so treat the appointment date as part of your timeline.
You must know where you intend to marry before you attend — the venue is recorded on the notice.
At the appointment
You are usually seen separately. The registrar checks your documents, confirms your details and asks about your relationship, your addresses and any previous marriages.
The fee is payable per person at the appointment.
After notice
Your notice is displayed publicly at the register office for the waiting period. Once it has run, the marriage schedule can be issued and your ceremony can go ahead as planned.
What this means for you
- Appointment wait plus notice period is the true minimum lead time.
- Bring originals only; an incomplete appointment usually means rebooking and paying again.
Official sources
Last reviewed: 16 August 2026 · Next review due 16 November 2026
Check when you need to give notice
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Related guides
Find your register office
Search our directory of register offices in England and Wales. Every entry shows when we last checked it against official council sources.
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.