Getting Married
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This page tells you:
The Marriage Acts 1949 to 1994 regulate civil marriage proceedings.
What do you need to do to get married?
You both need to give notice that you intend to get married at least 16 days before the marriage. Notice must be given at the Register Office in the area in which you have been resident for the previous 7 days and once given, is valid for one year. To give notice in Sheffield please contact the Register Office to make an appointment.
To contact other Register Offices please follow these links:
In exceptional circumstances, such as serious illness, it may be possible to reduce the 16 day waiting period. This is known as the Registrar General's Licence and cannot take place without a doctor's certificate. For more information please contact the appropriate Register Office.
What documents will you need?
You will need to prove your name, age, nationality, address and, if you have been married before, your marital status. More details are given below:
- Name, age and nationality - Passports are ideal for this purpose but if you do not have a current valid passport we will advise you as to what other forms of identity may be acceptable
- A deed poll or any statutory declaration documents if you have changed your name
- If either of you are under eighteen we will need to see proof that your parent(s) or guardian(s) agree to the marriage taking place. If your parents are divorced we will also need to see the Court Order that gives custody to one or other parent. Please contact the Register Office for advice
- If either of you are not British, you should contact your embassy or similar authority for advice. Marriage in this country, and even to a British citizen, gives no automatic right to remain here. If either of you are subject to immigration control there are special procedures to follow and more information can be obtained from the appropriate Register Office or from the Home Office website
- Address - driving licence or utility bill/bank statement showing your current address
- Marital status - If either of you have been married before, either in this country or abroad, and are now divorced, you will need to show proof of your divorce. If you divorced in England or Wales this will be a court stamped copy of the decree absolute. If you were divorced anywhere else you will need to produce the original document issued by that country and an English translation, if appropriate
- If you have been widowed you will need to show us a certified copy of your late husband's or wife's death certificate
- If you have already married each other in a foreign country, you only need to marry again in this country if you think that the marriage is not legally recognised in the country where you were married. If you decide to marry here, you will need to provide any documents relating to the marriage when you give your notice
Where and when can you get married?
A civil marriage can take place at any Register Office or approved premise in England and Wales provided that notice has been given as above. If you want to get married in a church please contact the appropriate Register Office.
Marriages can only take place between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm.
What are Approved Premises?
An approved premise is a building which has been licensed by the Local Authority for the performing of civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies in their Registration District.
You can download a list of approved premises in Sheffield or follow this link for information on all of the approved premises in England and Wales by visiting the General Register Office website page Marriages, where can I marry?
How much it costs to get married
There are statutory fees for giving the notice of intention to marry of £30.00 for each of you and a single fee of £40.00 for a marriage in the Register Office. The fees for marriage ceremonies at approved premises vary but are more expensive. Please contact the appropriate Register Office for details. Certificates cost £3.50 each on the day of the marriage but copy certificates may be obtained at a later date for the standard fee of £7.00 each. Getting copy certificates.
How far ahead can you book your wedding?
You can provisionally book your wedding up to two years ahead. Please contact the appropriate Register Office for more information.
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