Marriage and civil partnership registration

You must decide where to have your marriage or civil partnership ceremony before 'giving notice'.

To give notice, you'll sign a legal statement at your local register office saying you intend to get married or form a civil partnership. This must include details of the final venue for your ceremony.

You must hold your ceremony within 12 months of 'giving notice'.

It should also be noted that, even if your ceremony is small, you will need to provide at least two other people who are willing to witness the marriage and sign the marriage register.

Choose the type of ceremony

If you're getting married, you can choose to have either a religious ceremony or a civil ceremony.

The formation of a civil partnership cannot be a religious ceremony.

For more information on ceremonies, go to:

• approved premises
• civil ceremonies for marriage or civil partnership
• religious ceremonies for marriage
• example ceremonies