How do you get married at a UK register office?

Short answer

You book an appointment to give notice at your local register office, wait at least 28 days, then attend a short civil ceremony there with two witnesses. The ceremony cannot include religious content, but you can add poems and non-religious readings.

A register office wedding is the simplest legal route. First, both of you must give notice in person at the register office for the district where you have lived for at least the last seven days. You will need to bring proof of identity and address, and the appointment usually takes about 20 minutes. After giving notice, you wait at least 28 full days before the ceremony can take place. Your notice is valid for 12 months, so you have a year to hold the wedding.

On the day, you and your two witnesses attend a short civil ceremony in a room at the register office. The registrar will conduct the legal part, which includes exchanging vows and signing the marriage schedule or document. Since 2021, you sign a schedule rather than a register book. Civil ceremonies cannot include hymns, prayers, or religious readings, but you can include poems, songs, and non-religious readings if the registrar agrees. You can also have a small number of guests, depending on the room size, so check with the office. Some register offices offer outdoor ceremonies within their grounds, which has been allowed since 2022. If you want a religious element, you would need a separate religious ceremony, but that on its own is only legally binding if it takes place in a registered building with an authorised person present. For exact fees and availability, contact your local register office.