Guide to getting legally married – UK Marriage Laws

With Cornwall being one of the top elopement wedding destinations in the U.K, we have couples travelling here from all over the world for their elopement or small wedding with us in Cornwall. We often get asked various questions on how to get married legally in the UK. Uk Marriage Laws, Uk Marriage Laws, Uk Marriage Laws, Uk Marriage Laws

Having an outdoor Celebrant-led Wedding is not legal in the U.K at the moment but the Government is looking at changing this. The laws at present have been in existence since the early 1800’s so are outdated and not relevant to modern day Marriages. Most of our couples are aware that outdoor ceremonies are not legal. Those that would like to legalise their marriage have a ‘no-frills’ legal signing appointment at their local Registry Office which usually takes about 15 minutes. No vows or exchanging of rings is required to legalise your marriage. With this blog we want to answer some of your concerns regarding the ‘legalities’ as best we can to help make your wedding journey simpler and easier to navigate.

You must be:

single, divorced, or widowed;

over 16 years old

not related to one another

If you’re under 18 years old in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland you will need

parental permission.

On the day of the legal ceremony, two witnesses must be present
We offer our services as your witnesses (for a small fee) at either the Helston Registry Office or the Penzance Office. Other Registry offices by request.

ceremonies@registration.cornwall.gov.uk

The Process

You must give at least 29 days notice at your local register office. You must have lived in the district for at least seven days. It’s only valid for 12 months

What Documents Do I Need?

Your local council website will tell you exactly what you need to take to your appointment but as a general rule you will need to take the following to the local registry office of the district that you intend to get married in:

Proof of name (e.g. valid passport)

Proof of age (e.g. birth certificate)

Proof of any name changes

Proof of nationality (e.g. valid passport, national identity card)

Proof of address (e.g. valid driving licence, recent utility bill, etc.)

A decree absolute or final order (if applicable)

The death certificate of your former partner (if applicable)

Entry visa (if applicable)

Details of where and when you intend to get married.

If you’ve changed your name, been married before or you’re not a British national then you will need extra documents. Your council utility bills have to be dated from the past 3 months and bank statements have to be dated from the past month.

We have couples Eloping to Cornwall from all around the world.
Here is some information for you. Requirements for non-UK nationals, to enter the UK to get married vary greatly depending on the couple’s situation. You may need to apply for a Family of a Settled Person visa or a Marriage or Civil Partnership Visitor visa to enter the country. This government guide to marriages and partnerships has more information on visa requirements. www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships

As a general guideline, you can find some of your costs listed here.

The Marriage and Civil Partnership Visitor visa can start from £95 to apply.

You each need to pay a £35 fee when you attend the register office.

The fee is £47 if you or your partner are from outside the EU.

Marriage certificate costs £11

If you’ve had a divorce you’ll have to pay a fee of about £5

For the civil ceremony itself, the costs are from £90 if you have it at a register office. For religious ceremonies, this will depend on the church you’ve chosen.
For the Church of England, this usually amounts to around £550
For Catholic churches, it ranges from around £200.

For a humanist ceremony, you will have to pay your celebrant a fee as they operate independently. This varies from around £500 to £1,200.
If you’re in a civil partnership and want to convert it into a marriage, the cost is usually from about £11 for a marriage certificate, £45 for the conversion and £27 for an appointment. These costs only cover the basic legal requirements.

– the home of one of the partners if the partner is housebound or detained, for example, in prison

– a place where one partner is seriously ill and not expected to recover, for example, in hospital

– a licensed naval, military or air force chape