Registering for Marriage
Registering for marriage takes a few different forms, depending on the type of marriage ceremony involved.
If the marriage is to be a civil ceremony, or a religious ceremony in a church other than a Church of England, registration is by means of giving notice prior to the wedding, and then a registrar or authorised person registers the details in their register after the marriage ceremony.
If the marriage is to be a religious ceremony in a Church of England, registration is by banns (or common licence) prior to the ceremony, and a vicar registering the details in his own register after the ceremony.
For marriage in a foreign country you are likely to need to give notice for a certificate of no impediment. This depends on the laws in different countries and we would advise that you check with the embassy in the country in which you plan to marry.
If the marriage is to take place in a foreign country, it is possible in some cases to have the marriage recorded in this country, please phone the General Register Office for advice, 0151 471 4801.
Giving Notice
An appointment is required to give notice of marriage.
When you have chosen and booked the venue and date of the wedding, you must arrange to give notice in the Register Office of the district in which you live. If you and your partner live in different districts, each of you must give notice in your own district. You must have been resident in the district for at least seven days. If either of you is subject to immigration control you will have to both give notice at a designated office, either in Reading or Slough.
It is not possible to give notice more than 12 months in advance of your wedding however, at Bracknell Forest we have no limit on how far in advance you can make a provisional wedding booking. The notice is a legal statement, which must be signed by you; you cannot ask a friend or relative to give notice for you.
When you make an appointment to give notice, you will be advised what documents you will require. All documents must be produced at the time of giving notice. The documents required will include birth certificate (essential if under 23), current passport (if available), proof of address, divorce papers (if applicable), death certificate for former spouse (if applicable), change of name papers (if applicable), parental consent (if under 18). Please be aware that failure to produce the required documents will result in the notice not being taken. A fee is payable to the Superintendent Registrar at the time of giving notice, currently £30 per notice.
The purpose of giving notice is for the Superintendent Registrar to ensure you are lawfully free to marry, and to complete the preliminary legal documentation of your marriage. On completion of the notice, the details are put on the notice board for 15 days and it should be noted that the marriage cannot take place until after this time has elapsed.
There are procedures in place to reduce the 15 day waiting period for someone who is seriously ill and not expected to recover.
If your wedding is to held in a different district, you must give the authority to the Superintendent Registrar in the appropriate district.
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