How to book your civil ceremony
Once you've decided where and when your ceremony will occur, you must decide if you would like a civil marriage or civil partnership.
A civil marriage ceremony is for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples and includes a legal declaration and contracting vows you need to say to solemnise your marriage.
A civil partnership is also for both opposite-sex couples and same-sex couples, however, you do not need to say vows. A civil partnership gives the relationship legal recognition. It is formed when the couple signs a civil partnership document before the registrar and two witnesses.
For a civil marriage or civil partnership to be legal, authorised registrars must be in attendance to conduct and register the ceremony.
- if your ceremony is taking place at one of our register offices, the booking of the register office and your registrars will be done at the same time
- if your ceremony is taking place elsewhere you will need to contact the venue directly to confirm availability, and then contact us to book your registrars
Booking your ceremony online
You can use our online service to book a marriage or civil partnership ceremony. We recommend that you confirm and agree your ceremony plans with friends and family before booking a date.
If you are looking to book a simple 'you plus two' ceremony, these cannot be booked online. Please complete a booking enquiry using the link below.
Please be aware that you will need a valid credit or debit card to be able to complete your booking online.
Make a booking enquiry
If you are not able to book online you can complete the booking enquiry form and one of our team will get in touch to talk you through your booking.
This also applies if you require a short notice ceremony (within the next three months), or a ceremony under exceptional circumstances.
Make a booking enquiry
Learn more about the next steps.
Next step: giving notice