Civil Marriage Licensing

You need a licence to hold a civil marriage or civil partnership in your venue.

Checklist
This checklist will help you to be ready for when you want to obtain a licence:

1. Complete application from
   
   
2. Pay the fee
   
   
3. Current Fire Risk Assessment which includes the maximum number of people permitted to occupy each room in which the proceedings are intended to be held
   
   
4. Public Liability insurance which confirms cover for civil marriage ceremonies
   
   
5. Site Plan - aerial view of entire site
   The plan should identify the boundary of the property and show all outdoor areas linked to the premises
   
   
6. Premises Plan which meets the below criteria:

          (a) The room or rooms in which it is proposed that the marriage ceremonies should take place edged in red.

          (b) The maximum occupancy figures should be shown on the plan in relation to each room.

          (c) The place or places where notices of the ceremony and directions to the room are to be posted.

          (d) The access to the premises and the room used by members of the public showing doorways and corridors edged

                in blue.

          (e) The room in which the registrar may interview the couple prior to the ceremony edged green.

Application can be made online

Application/renewal fee -

£1,673.00 (secular premises)

£1,138.00 (religious premises where marriages are already solemnised)

Where all the requirements relating to the application have been met there is a minimum consultation of 21 days.

Following this an inspector will undertake an inspection of the premises to ensure the applicant's procedures and premises are suitable.

Please note that for renewals we do allow 6 months for applications to be processed to completion. Therefore, new applicants should be aware of this timescale indicator when submitting their application.

• Application for a Civil Marriage

Information on applications that are open for representations or comments can be viewed by following the link below

• Licensing - Public Notices