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Ceremony, legal and venues · Legal requirements

Can you give notice of marriage at any register office?

Answered by the UK Wedding Websites editorial team · Updated 2026-10-12

Short answer

No, you cannot give notice at any register office. In England and Wales, you usually give notice at the register office for the district where you have lived for at least the last 7 days. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, notice goes to the registrar for the wedding district.

The rules differ across the UK, so check where you live and where you are marrying. In England and Wales, each partner gives notice in person at their local register office, usually where they have lived for at least the last 7 days. You cannot simply walk into any office. In Scotland, each partner submits a marriage notice to the registrar for the district where the wedding will take place. In Northern Ireland, notice is given to the registrar in the district where the wedding will happen. If you live in one place but marry in another, you may need to travel to the correct office. The registrar will confirm what you need to bring. Rules can change, so always check with the relevant register office or GOV.UK before booking. Giving notice is a formal step, so allow plenty of time. You will also need to pay a fee, which varies, and the notice is valid for 12 months in England and Wales. Make sure your wedding date falls within that window.

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