What are the legal requirements for a same-sex wedding in England and Wales?

The legal process is the same for same-sex and opposite-sex couples in England and Wales. Both of you must give notice of marriage in person at your local register office, usually where you have each lived for at least the last seven days. You need to do this at least 28 full days before your ceremony, though it can take longer if either of you is subject to immigration control. Once given, your notice is valid for 12 months, so your wedding must happen within that time.

You will need two witnesses at the ceremony. The minimum age to marry is 18, so all of you must be at least 18. The ceremony itself can take place at a register office, an approved venue or a religious building that is registered for marriages. Church of England and Church in Wales weddings usually need banns read or a licence, so ask your church early.

If you choose a civil ceremony, it cannot include religious content such as hymns, prayers or religious readings. Poems, songs and non-religious readings are fine if the registrar agrees. Since 2022, approved venues can also hold civil ceremonies outdoors within their grounds. Religious ceremonies such as a nikah are only legally binding if held in a registered building with an authorised person present. Humanist ceremonies are not legally binding on their own here, so most couples add a short civil ceremony. If anything is unclear, check GOV.UK or speak to your register office.