Which register office do you give notice at?
You give notice at the register office for the local authority district where you have lived for at least the last seven full days — this is based on your home address, not your wedding venue. If you and your partner live in different districts, you each give notice separately at your own local office.
Home district, not wedding venue
It is a common misunderstanding that you give notice where you're getting married. In fact, notice is tied entirely to where you each live, and the ceremony can take place somewhere else entirely, as long as it is a legally approved venue.
If you live in different areas
You do not need to attend the same register office as your partner. Each of you gives notice locally, and the two notices are matched up administratively so your ceremony can proceed.
If you've recently moved
You must have lived in the district for at least the seven full days immediately before your appointment. If you've just moved, this can affect which office is correct for you, so check the timing carefully.
What this means for you
- Two different register offices are entirely normal if you live apart — this is not a complication, just the standard process.
- Your wedding venue's district only becomes relevant for who conducts the ceremony, not for where you give notice.
Official sources
Last reviewed: 17 August 2026 · Next review due 17 November 2026
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