Giving notice
Before you can marry in a register office, approved premises, church or chapel in England or Wales (other than within the Church of England where you may have banns called), you must give notice of your intention to marry. Notice must be given to the superintendent registrar of the district in which you live regardless of where, in England or Wales, you wish to be married. A fee is charged for each notice.
Notices of marriage can only be given by couples living in South Gloucestershire who are British nationals or nationals of a member of the European Economic Area. For those subject to immigration status both parties must give notice in a designated register office. The nearest designated register office is:
Bristol Register Office
The Old Council House
Corn Street
Bristol BS1 1JG
Telephone: 0117 903 8888
After you have given your notice, you must wait at least 15 clear days (not including the day the notice is given nor the day the authority is issued) whilst the notice is publicly displayed in the register office. Provided that no one objects to your marriage, the superintendent registrar will then authorise your marriage to take place.
Once given, your notice is valid for 12 months. It does not matter if either of you move to a different address after the notices have been given.
Where to give notice
You both need to go to your local register office to give notice of your intention to marry. If you plan to have a civil marriage ceremony in a different area, you should also contact the register office for that district. This is because you will need to ensure that a superintendent registrar (who will conduct the service) and a registrar of marriages (who will record the details in the marriage register and issue your certificate) will be free on the day you plan to marry.
Documentation required
When you give notice of your intention to marry, you will be asked to produce evidence of your current name, age, address and nationality - ideally your passport and a recent utility bill. Alternative documents (but not a mobile phone bill) may be acceptable if these are not available.
Depending on your individual circumstances, you may be required to provide documents concerning the following:
- Parental consent - for those under 18 years old
- A decree absolute, with an original court seal - if you have been divorced
- A death certificate of late spouse, and in some cases your marriage certificate - for example if you are a widow and did not register your husband's death in person
- A deed poll document - if you have changed your name