If you're arranging a marriage or civil partnership you must give notice (a formal declaration of your intention to marry or form a civil partnership) before your marriage and civil partnership ceremony can take place. Notice must be given at least 28 full days before the date of the ceremony. If you are not relevant nationals the waiting period may be extended to 70 days.*
If you are a relevant national you must give notice at the local register office in the district in which you reside. You must reside in the district for 7 clear days before giving notice.
If you are a foreign national you must attend together at the local register office in the district in which either of you reside. You must reside in your respective district for 7 clear days before giving notice.
You will need to book the venue of your ceremony before making an appointment to give notice. Notice may be given up to one year in advance of the ceremony.
If you give notice and then your venue changes new notices will be required.
What you need to bring
One of the following original documents (or groups of documents):
- Valid passport
- UK birth certificate (if born in the UK before 1 January 1983) plus one of the following:
- a utility bill dated no more than three months before notice
- a bank or building society statement or passbook dated no more than one month before notice
- a current council tax bill or mortgage statement
- a current residential tenancy agreement
- a valid driving licence
- Full UK birth certificate and mothers UK birth certificate (if born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983), plus one of the following:
- a utility bill dated no more than three months before notice
- a bank or building society statement or passbook dated no more than one month before notice
- a council tax bill or mortgage statement dated no more than one year before notice
- a current residential tenancy agreement
- a valid driving licence
- (Valid biometric immigration document Non-EEA/Non Swiss nationals only)
If you've changed your name and the documents listed above aren't in your current name, you should also bring documentary evidence relating to the change.
Example documents:
- Share Code (gained from GOV.UK) or by presenting a hard copy letter of a pending application made to the EUSS prior to 30 June 2021
- Valid biometric immigration document
- Valid travel document
- Valid Home Office endorsement in passport (including ILR/ILE/RoA)
- Home Office status document
- Visa or entry clearance in passport
If you're entering the UK for the purpose of marriage or civil partnership you must check with the UKVI that you've the correct visa to do so. This would usually be a marriage or civil partnership visa. If you're providing evidence of immigration status you may need to provide a passport photo.
One of the following:
- Utility bill dated no more than three months before notice
- Bank or building society statement or passbook dated no more than one month before notice
- Council tax bill dated no more than one year before notice
- Mortgage statement dated no more than one year before notice
- Current residential tenancy agreement
- Valid driving licence
One of the following original documents:
- Divorce decree absolute
- Divorce decree of nullity
- Civil partnership dissolution order
- Civil partnership nullity order
- Death certificate of spouse or civil partner
If you've changed your name by deed poll or statutory declaration you'll need to provide documentary evidence.
Cost
- Notice of marriage/civil partnership - £35 per notice
- Notice of marriage/civil partnership (subject to referral) - £47*
*There is a Home Office Immigration referral scheme in place for those who are foreign nationals subject to immigration control. The definition of relevant national for giving notice of marriage/civil partnership is a person who is a British citizen, Irish citizen, or any person with either EUSS settled status, EUSS pre-settled status, or a pending application to the EUSS submitted prior to 30/06/2021. If you are not a relevant national, the standard 28 day waiting period may be extended to 70 days. This is to allow for investigation by Home Office Immigration. The cost of a notice that is subject to referral is £47 each and you will be required to provide a passport sized photo at your appointment. EEA/Swiss citizens will need to provide a GOV.UK share code at the appointment to prove their immigration status.
If you live in Plymouth and are a British/Irish citizen please book an appointment online
If you live in Plymouth and are an EEA citizen (with or without settled/pre settled status), Non EEA citizen or Swiss citizen please email srenquiries@plymouth.gov.uk with your name and contact number and we will contact you to make an appointment.
If you do not live in Plymouth please contact your local Registration Service to arrange your notice of marriage/civil partnership appointment.