You must give notice of your marriage or civil partnership. It is a legal requirement.
Cost
Please see: Ceremony fees.
When to give notice
After you have a confirmed ceremony date and venue, you must both give notice at least 29 days before your ceremony.
For example: if you give notice on 1st May, you cannot marry or form a civil partnership until 30th May.
If either of you are subject to immigration control, this may be extended to 70 days.
Appointments are offered in ceremony date order, up to 5 months before your confirmed ceremony. This is because of high demand.
Your ceremony must take place within 12 months of the date you give notice.
The notice is only valid for the venue stated on it. If you change venue, you need a new notice and must pay the fee again.
Where to give notice
You do this at the register office in the district where you live.
You must have both lived in a registration district in England or Wales for at least 8 consecutive days before giving notice.
If you both live in the same district, you give notice at the same register office.
If you live in different districts, you give notice separately in your own district, unless one of you is subject to immigration control.
Documents you need to bring
You must bring documents with you to your appointment.
We only accept documents that are listed below and they must all be originals.
Proof of full name, date of birth and nationality
- A current valid passport.
- A valid biometric immigration document issued by the Home Office.
- A full UK birth certificate (issued in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland only). If you were born after 1st January 1983, you also need your mother's UK birth certificate. If you do not have this, you need other proof of her nationality, valid at the time of your birth.
Proof of where you live
You will need one of these for each person:
- A valid UK driving licence.
- A utility bill dated no more than three months before the appointment. (It can be for gas, electric, water, landline or broadband/cable, but not a mobile phone bill).
- A bank statement dated no more than one month before the appointment. Note: Credit card bills are not accepted.
- A Council Tax bill dated no more than one year before the appointment.
- A mortgage statement dated no more than one year before the appointment.
Other proof needed
If you have been widowed
You must bring:
- the death certificate of your former spouse or civil partner
If you are not named on the death certificate, you must also bring:
- your marriage or civil partnership certificate
If you are divorced or your previous civil partnership has been dissolved
You must bring:
- your decree absolute or dissolution certificate
If this is not in your current name, you must also bring:
- your marriage or civil partnership certificate
Divorces granted outside England and Wales
You must send a copy of your divorce or dissolution documents to the Register Office before your appointment. We must check these documents in advance. If any document is not in English, you must include a certified translation.
Note: A fee applies for this service. We will confirm the amount when you submit your documents.
If you have changed your name
You must bring:
- your Deed Poll or other legal change of name documents
Book an appointment
Notices are taken at Calderdale Register Office by appointment only.
Please do not request an appointment unless you have a confirmed ceremony booking within the next 5 months.
Book an appointment to give notice
If you have booked a last-minute ceremony, we will do our best to arrange an appointment for you. It may not always be possible to do this without at least two weeks' notice.
In exceptional circumstances, you can book an appointment more than 5 months in advance. Email: ceremonies.team@calderdale.gov.uk.