Getting Married by
Civil Ceremony
If you wish to marry by civil ceremony,
at a register office or other building approved for civil marriage,
you will need to contact the superintendent registrar of the district
where you wish to marry.
You may marry at any register office or approved premises of your choice. However,
for a marriage in an approved premise e.g a hotel licensed by the
local authority, you will also need to make arrangements at the
venue. In addition, you will both need to personally give a formal
notice of your marriage to the superintendent registrar of the district(s)
where you live.
Legal Formalities for
Marriage
Unless you are marrying in the Church
of England or Church in Wales by Banns or Common Licence, notice
of marriage has to be given personally to your local superintendent
registrar(s) at the Register Office in the district in which you
and your partner reside. A notice of marriage states the names
of the parties to the marriage, age, marital status, address,
occupation nationality and the intended venue for the marriage.
It is a legal document covered by the Perjury Act 1911.
Both of you must have lived in a registration
district in England or Wales for at least seven days immediately
before giving notice at the register office. If you both live
in the same district, you should both attend your local register
office together to give your notices of marriage. If you live
in different registration districts then each of you will need
to give notice separately in your respective district. After giving
notice you must wait a further sixteen days before the marriage
can take place, (for example, if notice is given on 1 July the
marriage may take place on or after 17 July).
Your marriage cannot go ahead unless
the legal formalities have been completed.
Notices of marriage must be given in
person to the superintendent registrar by you and your partner.
No one else can do so on your behalf.
Where an advance booking for a marriage
has been made, it is essential that a formal notice is given to
the superintendent registrar, once you are legally able to do
so.
Registration Officers have a statutory
duty to report any marriage they suspect has been arranged for
the sole purpose of evading statutory immigration controls.
There are nationally set fees for giving
notice to the superintendent registrar and the registrar's attendance
at the marriage at a register office or religious building. However,
the fee for the attendance of the superintendent registrar and
registrar at a marriage in an approved premises (for example,
at a hotel) is set by the local authority. The superintendent
registrar of the district where you wish to marry will be able
to provide you with details of the fees payable.
On the day of the wedding you will need
to bring with you at least two other people who are prepared to
witness the marriage and sign the marriage register.
If you wish to know more about marriage
ceremonies at register offices or at approved premises please
ask the superintendent registrar for details. While a marriage
ceremony in the presence of a superintendent registrar cannot,
by law, contain any religious aspects, it may be possible, with
agreement, to include non-religious music and/or readings and
for the wedding to be videoed.
This information is issued for general
guidance and is not a complete statement of the law. For further
information on any aspect of the formalities to, or the ceremony
of marriage, please seek the advice of the superintendent registrar
at the local register office. The telephone number and address
can be found in your local telephone directory under 'Registration
of Births, Deaths and Marriages'.
Documents you may
need to produce
When you attend before the superintendent
registrar or Vicar to make the formal arrangements, you will need
to produce certain documents. You will need produce evidence of
your name, age, marital status and nationality.
A current full passport would be the
preferred document, (or, where appropriate, a Home Office Travel
Document, a Standard Acknowledgement Letter or a National Identity
Card). If this is not available, two documents, such as a cheque
book, cheque guarantee card, store/credit card or a birth certificate
issued at or near the time of the registration of your birth would
be acceptable.
If you have been married before, you
will need to produce documents to confirm that you are now free
to marry. These could include either a divorce decree absolute
bearing the court's original stamp, or the death certificate of
your former husband or wife.
Depending on your individual circumstances,
other documents may be required, but your local superintendent
registrar will be able to advise you. You should be aware that
photocopies are unlikely to be accepted.
Wedding Ring Guide
Costs of getting married
in Staffordshire
Marriage/Civil Partnerships on Approved Premises
Monday - Saturday: Booking Fee £50 / Ceremony Fee £300
Sunday & Bank Holidays: Booking Fee £50 / Ceremony Fee £350
Marriage/Civil Partnerships at Stafford Register Office
Monday - Saturday: Booking Fee £25 / Ceremony Fee £43.50
Marriage/Civil Partnerships at Registion Offices
Monday - Saturday: Booking Fee £25 / Ceremony Fee £75 (£100 after 1pm Saturday)
Notice of Marriage/Civil Partnership
£33.50 per person
Subject to a fee of £3.50 for issuing the certificate on the day. These fees are set annually and may be subject to change.
Marriages & Civil Partnership Certificates
From Superintendent Registrar within 28 days from ceremony £7.50
From Superintendent Registrar after 28 days from ceremony £9.50
Fees correct as of April 2012
Wedding
Planner
As soon as possible
Book wedding organiser/planner
Book ceremony/reception venue
Draw up the guest list
One year ahead
Check out transport, photographers,
caterers, florists, stationers etc
Start looking at wedding and bridesmaids dresses
Six months ahead
Make arrangements for the cake
Book entertainment
Order wedding stationary
Choose wedding dress and rings
Book honeymoon
Three months ahead
Send out invitations
Make out wedding gift list
Order floral decorations
Book any hired outfits
Six weeks to go
Decide on and book hairstyle and
make-up
Choose going-away outfit
Buy presents for attendants
Two weeks to go
Finalise reception details
Confirm all arrangements
One week to go
Hold a dress rehearsal
Try on outfits for alterations
On the day
Everythings organised, enjoy yourselves!
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