Marriage and civil partnership registration

Marriage and civil partnership ceremonies

Go to ceremonies and venues for information on a range of ceremonies available at Thurrock Register Office and other approved premises.

Introduction

Couples in the UK can choose to have a marriage or to enter a civil partnership.

Marriage and civil partnership give legal recognition to the union of a couple. They also give rights and responsibilities.

Marriages are solemnised by saying a prescribed form of words. They can be conducted through either a civil ceremony or a religious ceremony.

Civil partnerships are registered by signing a civil partnership document. No words have to be spoken, and no ceremony is necessary. Civil partners can choose to add a ceremony afterwards, but this is not part of forming the civil partnership – the formation is secular (non-religious), even if the civil partnership is formed on religious premises or a religious ceremony is held afterwards.

Check if you can get married or form a civil partnership

You can get married or form a civil partnership in England or Wales if you’re:

  • 18 or over
  • not already married or in a civil partnership
  • not closely related

Same-sex couples can convert a civil partnership into a marriage in England or Wales.

There are different rules if you want to get married or form a civil partnership in Scotland, Northern Ireland or outside the UK. Go to GOV.UK: Marriages and civil partnerships.

If you or your partner are from outside the UK or Ireland, you might need to apply for a visa to get married of form a civil partnership in the UK – go to GOV.UK: Marriage or civil partnership if you or your partner are from outside the UK or Ireland.

Getting married or forming a civil partnership

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