Civil or Religious?

If you wish to marry in England or Wales you may do so either by a civil ceremony or a religious ceremony.

Civil ceremonies

You can marry in any Register Office or Approved Premise in England or Wales regardless of where you reside. Before you can marry in a Register Office or Approved Premise in England and Wales, you must give notice of your marriage in the district where you live. You must have been living in this district for at least seven days before the date on which you give the notice. This can be done up to one year before the date of the wedding. It is a legal statement which must be given by both parties and signed in the presence of a Superintendent Registrar. If you live in the same district you should both attend together if possible. If you live in different districts then each of you will need to give notice separately in your own district.

Once the notice has been given, a period of 15 clear days must elapse before the marriage can take place. If you are marrying in a district where you do not live you must collect an authority for marriage from one or both districts where the notices were given. These should be given to the Superintendent Registrar of the district in which the marriage ceremony is to take place. If you are marrying in a Religious building the authorities must be give to the person officiating at your wedding.

Both authorities must be valid at the time of the marriage.

Before attending the Isle of Wight Register Office to give notice of marriage please telephone (01983) 823733 for an appointment.

The Isle of Wight Register Office has introduced a 'provisional booking system' for marriages. You may book a wedding in the Register Office or at one of our approved premises up to two years in advance. There is no fee for this provisional booking.

Religious ceremonies

A religious ceremony can take place at a Church of Chapel of the Church of England or Church in Wales or any other place of worship which has been formally registered by the Registrar General for marriages.

Church of England or Church in Wales

If you wish to be married in the Church of England or Church in Wales you should first speak to the vicar of that Church. If the Vicar is able to marry you he or she will arrange for the Banns to be called on three Sundays before the day of the ceremony or for common licence to be issued. If banns are not called it will be necessary to give notice of marriage in the district(s) where you both live. Please speak to the Superintendent Registrar for further details.

The marriage will be registered by the Vicar of the Church and there is usually no need for the local Superintendent Registrar to be involved.

Other Places of Worship

If you are getting married in any other church or religious building you will need to give notice of marriage in the district(s) where you live. There is usually a person appointed at this building to register your marriage. If this is not the case, a Registrar from the district in which the building is situated will have to attend. Please check that a Registrar will be available on the date you have chosen before making any further arrangements.