How to Get Married in the UK: A Step-by-Step Legal Guide
To get married in the UK, you give formal notice to a registrar, wait out the notice period, then hold a ceremony that meets the legal rules in front of two witnesses. If you are planning a 2027 wedding, the paperwork is the easy bit. Popular venues and register office slots are the part that needs early booking.
This guide covers England and Wales in the most detail, then explains how Scotland and Northern Ireland differ. Rules and fees can change, so check gov.uk or your local register office before you commit to dates.
Who can get married in the UK?
You can marry in the UK if you are both old enough, free to marry and able to consent.
- Age: the minimum age is 18 in England and Wales. In Scotland it is 16, with no parental consent needed. Northern Ireland has its own rules, so confirm with the local registrar.
- Free to marry: neither of you can already be married or in a civil partnership. If you have been before, you will need proof it ended, such as a final divorce order, a dissolution certificate or a death certificate.
- Not closely related: the law prohibits marriage between certain close relatives.
- Capacity: you must both understand what marriage involves and freely agree to it.
Same-sex and opposite-sex couples can marry in all four nations of the UK.
How do you get married in the UK, step by step?
The order below applies to England and Wales.
- Choose your type of ceremony. Options are a civil ceremony (register office or approved venue), a Church of England or Church in Wales wedding, or another religious ceremony.
- Pick a venue and date. Check the venue is licensed for weddings, or that your place of worship can legally marry you.
- Give notice of marriage. Each of you attends your local register office in person and gives notice. You must have lived in that registration district for at least 7 days beforehand.
- Wait for the notice period. Your notice is displayed for 28 days. You can marry once that has passed, and within 12 months of giving notice.
- Hold the ceremony. It must take place between 8am and 6pm (religious rules can vary), with two witnesses present, and with the legally required wording said.
- Sign the register. You, your witnesses and the officiant sign. Order certified copies of your marriage certificate if you need them for name changes, banks or visas.
Church of England weddings follow a slightly different legal route, usually banns read in church or a licence, rather than the register office notice. Your vicar will explain which applies.
How long does it take to get married in the UK?
The legal minimum is about a month in England and Wales: the 28-day notice period plus your ceremony date. In Scotland, notice goes in at least 29 days before the wedding.
In practice, the venue is what takes the time. Many couples book 12 to 18 months ahead for a full wedding. A simple register office ceremony can often be arranged within a couple of months, depending on local availability.
You cannot give notice more than 12 months before your wedding in England and Wales. You can book a venue earlier, but the legal notice has to wait.
Can you get married in the UK quickly?
There is no fast-track for ordinary couples. The 28-day notice period in England and Wales is fixed, and Scotland's 29 days is similarly firm.
There are narrow exceptions. In England and Wales, a Registrar General's licence can allow a faster wedding where one person is seriously ill and not expected to recover. The Church of England also offers a Special Licence, which is granted at the Archbishop of Canterbury's discretion and is not a routine shortcut.
To move quickly, give notice the moment you have a provisional date, and choose a register office ceremony. Office slots are easier to find than popular venue dates.
How do you get married in a registry office in the UK?
Follow the same steps as above, with the ceremony held at the register office itself.
- Book your date with the register office, and give notice at your local office (these may be different offices).
- Take proof of identity, nationality and address to the notice appointment, plus evidence of any previous marriage ending.
- Bring two witnesses on the day.
- Ceremonies are short, often 15 to 30 minutes, and you can usually bring a small number of guests, depending on the room.
Many councils also run ceremonies at approved venues such as hotels and country houses. The registrar attends, and the venue charges its own hire fee on top of the council's fee.
How much does it cost to get married at a registry office?
The legal minimum for a basic register office wedding in England and Wales has recently been under £200 for the couple. Fees are set nationally and reviewed periodically, so check gov.uk for current amounts before you budget.
| Cost | Notes |
|---|---|
| Notice of marriage | Charged per person, set nationally |
| Ceremony fee | Statutory fee for a register office ceremony; higher for approved venues |
| Marriage certificate | Charged per copy; you may want more than one |
| Venue hire (approved premises) | Set by the venue, varies widely |
| Extra registrar costs | Weekends, bank holidays and premium rooms may cost more |
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own fee schedules. Your total wedding budget will be driven by venue, catering and suppliers, not the legal fees.
How many witnesses do you need to get married in the UK?
You need two witnesses in England, Wales and Scotland. They watch the ceremony, then sign the register or schedule. Choose people who will be present throughout and can show they are who they say they are. Your register office or venue will confirm any age requirement for witnesses.
Some register offices can provide witnesses if you arrive without any, but check in advance rather than assuming.
How do Scotland and Northern Ireland differ?
Scotland: each of you submits a marriage notice (Form M10) to the registrar at least 29 days before the wedding. The registrar issues a marriage schedule, usually in the fortnight before the ceremony. Religious and belief bodies, including humanists, can conduct legally binding ceremonies. You can marry almost anywhere your celebrant agrees to, such as a beach or hillside.
Northern Ireland: you give notice to the registrar, with a notice period similar to the rest of the UK. Humanist and other belief ceremonies can be legally binding. Confirm current details with the local registrar.
England and Wales: as of October 2026, humanist ceremonies are not legally binding on their own, so many couples have a short civil ceremony as well. Check the latest position, as reform has been discussed.
How do you get married in the UK as a foreigner?
Non-British nationals can marry in the UK, but immigration rules apply. What you need depends on your nationality and your immigration status.
- Giving notice: if either of you is subject to immigration control, you must give notice at a designated register office, and the registrar may check your documents. In some cases, the notice period can be extended to 70 days.
- Visas: many visitors need a Marriage Visitor visa to marry and then leave. Some nationalities can enter without a visa but need an electronic travel authorisation. Check gov.uk before booking anything.
- Documents: bring valid passports, proof of address and evidence that you are free to marry. Foreign documents may need certified translation.
Getting married does not give you the right to stay in the UK. Settling here is a separate visa application.
Can you get married in Las Vegas from the UK?
Yes. Both of you must attend the Clark County Marriage License Bureau in person with passports. Nevada has no residency requirement and no waiting period, so you can often marry the same day. Both must be 18 or over, and anyone previously married needs details of how that ended.
A marriage legally performed abroad is generally recognised in the UK. Keep your certificate safe, and ask for an apostille if you need to use it officially.
Many couples do a Vegas wedding, then hold a celebration at home. Check with a legal adviser if your circumstances are complicated.
What should you do first when planning a 2027 wedding?
Secure the practical bookings first, then handle notice once you are within 12 months.
- Decide on a rough date window, number of guests and budget.
- Shortlist venues and enquire early for Saturdays in summer and early autumn, which usually go first.
- Book your register office or officiant once the venue is confirmed.
- Give notice within the 12-month window, allowing time for any identity or immigration checks.
Researching venues and suppliers takes up most of the time. A tool such as Wedding Planner by Stridivo can compare options against your budget, location and dates and draft the enquiry emails, so you spend less time on spreadsheets.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get married in the UK?
In England and Wales you must be 18. In Scotland the minimum age is 16 with no parental consent. Northern Ireland has its own rules, so check with the local registrar.
Do you have to live in the UK to get married there?
No, but you must have lived in the registration district where you give notice for at least 7 days in England and Wales. Non-UK nationals may also need a visa and extra checks.
How far ahead can you give notice of marriage?
In England and Wales you can give notice up to 12 months before the wedding, and the notice is valid for 12 months. The earliest you can marry is after the 28-day notice period.
Is a humanist wedding legal in the UK?
Humanist ceremonies are legally binding in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In England and Wales, as of October 2026, they are not legally binding alone, so couples usually add a short civil ceremony.
Do you need a marriage licence in the UK?
In England and Wales you give notice of marriage and, after the notice period, you are issued authority to marry. In Scotland you receive a marriage schedule. Church of England weddings may use banns or a licence instead.
Can you get married in the UK without guests?
Yes. You need only the officiant and two witnesses, so a small register office ceremony is a legitimate option. Many couples follow it with a celebration later.