Both parties must sign a legal document at their local register office stating intent to get married. This is known as “giving notice”. This needs to be done 29 days before holding the marriage ceremony. This notice is then valid for 12 months over which time the couple can hold the ceremony. Certain documentation will need to be provided from both partners to give notice. A valid proof of identity. This could be a UK passport or birth certificate (if either partner was born before 1983.) Also needed (if relevant) are proof of any legal name changes for either partner.
The partners will also need proof of their current home address.
Any of the following documents are valid for this purpose.
- Valid driver’s licence from the UK, European Union or European Economic Area. Swiss licences are also accepted.
- utility bill (gas, water, electric dating back up to three months before the notice appointment.
- Bank or building society statement from the previous month.
- council tax bill dating back up to 12 months.
- Mortgage statement dating back up to 12 months.
- A current tenancy agreement.
- A letter from a landlord confirming the address of the party giving notice. The letter must be dated within the last seven days and must detail the landlord’s name and address. It must all be authorised with the signature of the landlord.
The partners must decide on a venue for their marriage ceremony before giving notice of their intent to marry. This information must also be provided when giving notice. The couple then has a period of 12 months in which to hold the ceremony.
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