Overview

Before you book your ceremony, make sure you have enough time to give notice of your intention to marry or have a civil partnership.

Giving notice is a legal requirement. It’s where both people confirm their identity and their right to marry or have a civil partnership in the UK.

It can take a few weeks to get an appointment to give notice. You may have to delay your ceremony if you do not leave enough time to do this.

There are 2 types of ceremony:

  • Non-religious ceremonies, sometimes called ‘civil ceremonies’, take place in venues licensed to hold these ceremonies, such as register offices and town halls
  • Religious ceremonies are conducted in any place of worship that's registered for marriages and civil partnerships