Getting married

Changes to marriage registrations from 4 May 2021

From 4 May 2021, you'll no longer sign a marriage register or be given a marriage certificate during the ceremony, instead you'll sign a Marriage Schedule. This is a one-page document which contains the details of both people getting married which are needed to register a marriage.

After your ceremony has taken place the registration officer will keep the signed Marriage Schedule and return it to the register office to add the details onto the electronic register, as soon as possible. Your certificate will be posted out or you can arrange to collect it within 7 days. If your ceremony took place in a religious building, other than a Church of England building, you will need to apply for any copy certificates you need. You can learn more on our copy certificate webpage.

Each person is still required by law to give a notice of marriage and the marriage ceremony will remain the same, it's only the way in which a marriage is registered that will change.