You and your partner will need to bring original copies of documents from the list below to give notice of marriage or civil partnership. 

If you can’t provide original copies of the required documents at your appointment, you'll need to book a new one.

If you miss your appointment or your appointment is rescheduled by us as you attended without the correct supporting documents or you booked your appointment with us in error, an administrative fee of £42.00 (£57.00) will be due and therefore no refund is applicable.

Proof of nationality

All documents MUST be originals, valid and in English, photocopies are not acceptable. We can not accept documents shown on your phone.

You need to bring one of the following:

  • valid passport (or British travel document if you’re a non-EEA or an EEA national)
  • nationality identity card (or Biometric Residence Card or Permit if you’re a non-EEA or an EEA national)
  • Citizenship certificate confirming British Citizenship
  • British birth certificate: If you were born before 1 January 1983 we will need to see either your full or short birth certificate and if you were born on or after 1 January 1983 you'll need to bring your full birth certificate: a full birth certificate includes your parents' details. If your parents were married when you were born, you'll need to bring either your mother or father's birth certificate. If your parents were unmarried when you were born, then only your mother's birth certificate can be accepted

EUSS scheme status

If you or your partner are EEA nationals with EUSS status granted or applied for before 30 June 2021 you must obtain a unique code before your appointment. This will allow the Registrar to check and verify your immigration status.  

If one or both of you are non-EEA or an EEA national without EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status

If one or both of you are non-EEA or an EEA national without EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status, you will need to provide a passport-sized photograph with all other evidence.

Proof of address

All documents MUST be originals, valid and in English, photocopies are not acceptable. We can not accept documents shown on your phone.

This could be: 

  • valid UK driving licence (both full and provisional are acceptable) 
  • your most recent Council Tax bill 
  • a bank statement that is dated within 1 month of your appointment 
  • a utility bill that is dated within 3 months of your appointment 
  • a letter from the owner or proprietor of the address where you live. The letter must include: 

the name, address, date and signature of the owner/proprietor

confirmation that this person is the owner/proprietor

confirmation of the name of the person giving notice and that they have been a resident at this address for at least eight days

Subject to immigration controls

If either or both of you are subject to immigration control, you must give notice together at the register office for the local authority where one or both of you live (this will mean if you live in different districts then you will need to go together to one of those register offices).  

You will both need to provide a passport photograph and bring the photographs to your appointment.

If your passport is being held by the Home Office, you must request that they send a certified copy to us in time for your notice of marriage or civil partnership appointment. No other certified copies will be accepted.

Please Note: ARC Cards (Application Registration Card) are not acceptable proof and cannot be used to give notice of marriage or civil partnership. 

Read more about Marriage and immigration at GOV.UK.

Proof of marital status

All documents MUST be originals, valid and in English, photocopies are not acceptable. We can not accept documents shown on your phone.

If you have been married or in a civil partnership before, you’ll need to provide a decree absolute or a final order.   If the name you use now is different from the decree absolute or final order please also provide your previous marriage certificate.

You can request a replacement decree absolute or final order if you no longer have the original. This will contain one of the following:

  • if your divorce was granted in England or Wales you’ll need to bring the original decree absolute issued by the court
  • if your divorce was granted outside of England or Wales you'll need to bring the final divorce documents
  • if either of you is a widow/widower or surviving civil partner, you will need to bring a certified death certificate 

  • If you are a surviving partner and not mentioned on the death certificate you'll need to bring a certified copy of the marriage or civil partnership certificate

Documents in other languages

If any of your documents are in any language other than English, you'll need to bring the original document plus a full translation, into English. This must be certified at the bottom of the document by the translator stating “I certify this to be a true translation of the document”.  

The name, address, telephone number and signature of the person who translated the documents must be included.

Evidence of any name changes

If you have been known by any other name you must provide evidence of this, such as a marriage certificate or deed poll document.