Giving notice

For civil marriages or religious marriages in a church other than the Church of England each party to the marriage is required to 'give notice of marriage' in a registration district.

For Civil Partnership Registration each party will be required to 'give notice' in an local authority area.

Where both parties are British Nationals, European Economic Area or Swiss Citizens, notice must be given to the Superintendent Registrar or Partnership Registrar of the district or local authority in which the party has resided for at least 7 days immediately prior to the day the notice is given.

Where either party is not a British National, European Economic Area or Swiss Citizen, notice must be given by both parties attending a designated Register Office together having lived in their own district of residence for at least 7 days.

A 'Notice' must be given at least 15 clear days prior to the date of the marriage or partnership and may be given up to one year in advance.

For marriage in a Church of England you will need to contact your local vicar who will usually arrange for banns to be read.

There is a fee for giving notice and you will be asked to produce certain documentary evidence.

The Superintendent Registrar for Plymouth will ask each of you to produce:

• your birth certificate (a full birth certificate may be required)
• your passport, if you do not have a passport - a full birth certificate (and your mother's birth certificate or passport if you were born after 1982)
• your driving licence
• documentary evidence of your place of residence (bank statement, rent agreement, utility bill)
• if you have been married before, evidence of how that marriage ended (Death and Marriage Certificate or Divorce Decree Absolute)
• if you have changed your name, any documentary evidence relating to the change
• if you are under 18 years old, parental consent form
• if you are not a British National, European Economic Area or Swiss Citizen, a relevant stamp in your passport or Home office Certificate of marriage approval (for advice and information, please contact the Home Office)