Minimum Age

In all areas of the UK the minimum age you can legally marry is 16. In  Northern Ireland you will need written parental consent if you are under 18.

Fees

There are fees involved for marriage ceremonies and these will be subject to regional differences. Typically you should expect to pay between £90 - £100 for a Civil Ceremony (this excludes any fees that might be charged if you book an alternative venue), and between £150 - £250 for a Religious Ceremony (variable factors will include items such as the use of church bells, church organist etc.). Check with your local Registrars Office or Parish Priest for more details.

Civil Ceremonies

A Civil Ceremony is conducted by a Registrar, either in a Registry Office or a venue that holds a Civil Licence. The ceremony is not allowed to contain religious elements, although you may choose to include music, poetry or readings to accompany the ceremony. You can also discuss the vows you intend to take with the registrar and customise them to suit.

Civil Licence

In Northern Ireland a Civil Ceremony can take place in an approved venue (such as a hotel, castle etc.) that holds a Civil Licence. The law states that you cannot marry outside, or in a temporary or movable structure (such as a marquee).

Religious Ceremonies

These will differ depending on your faith, but will generally take place in a church, or place of worship. .
If you are intending to have a Religious Ceremony you will need to contact the Minister of your faith in the locality you wish to be married in.

England and Wales

Civil Ceremonies

A Civil Ceremony can take place in a Registry Office, or a venue that holds a Civil Licence. If you intend a Civil Ceremony in England or Wales the procedure you need to follow is:

• You both need to give formal notice of your intention to marry to the Registrar in the district you live in. If you live in the same district you should attend the Registry Office to give notice together, although you do not have to by law. You must have lived in the district for at least 7 full days before you can give notice.
• Once you have given notice  you will be able to marry in 21 days (by Certificate) or 7 days (by Licence). You can marry at any stage within a year.
• You need to book your date with the Registrar in the district you wish to marry.
• If you marry by Licence at least one you should have been living in the area for at least 15 days. Proof of residency is usually required for all marriages in Northern Ireland.
• A Certificate or Licence allows you to marry in the Registry Office, Church or any other approved venue.
• The Registrar will require you to produce certain documents for evidence of your identity and the correct spelling of your name etc. A current Passport is a preferred document, but chequebooks, credit cards and birth certificates are also acceptable. Your Registrar will advise you on this.
  
• If you have been married before you will need to provide evidence of your divorce.
• If you intend to have a Civil Ceremony in a venue that holds a Civil Licence you will need to discuss this with the Registrar and the venue as early as possible to ensure availability.
• If you are marrying in a district that is different to the one you live in, your local Registrar will issue a Certificate of Authority to Get Married. This must be collected and taken to the Registrar performing the ceremony prior to the wedding taking place.
• Additional evidence of identity may be required if you, or your partner, are resident overseas.
• On the day you need to make sure you have at least two people to accompany you, witness the marriage and sign the marriage register.
  

Religious Ceremonies

For details of Religious Ceremonies you should contact the local Minister of your faith, as they will differ in procedural requirements.

Further information should be obtained from:

The Registrar for Northern Ireland
Oxford House
49 - 55 Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 4HF