If you are getting married soon, there will be a lot of things you will be researching for like best outfits for Indian brides, Indian photography packages, or the process of obtaining a marriage certificate.

The process of getting a marriage certificate can sound daunting because of the various documents involved and also because you have to go through an interview. However, it is a very simple and straightforward process. You don’t have anything to worry about if you are the same person that you say that you are.

In this article we are listing down the step-by-step process to obtaining a marriage registration certificate in the UK.

Note that the process for marriage registration may be different for UK residents and people from outside the UK. Make sure you check your local registry’s website to confirm if the process is any different for you.

Step 1 – Giving Notice

The first step in the process of marriage registration in the UK is giving notice of intention to marry at your local registry office. You can either get their contact number online and call them or visit their office directly.

A few things to note are:

• You must give the notice in the same district where you live. The rule is that you should be living in the same district for at least 7 days before giving the notice. If you and your partner are living in different districts for some reason, then you have to give notice in your respective districts.

• The notice has to be given at least 28 days before the actual day of marriage. We’d recommend you give the notice at least 2-3 months in advance as you may not get the appointment.

• After you have made the appointment, you will be asked to come to the office to submit the documents and for the interview. Make sure to reach on time or your appointment can be cancelled.

• If your fiancé is not a British national, they must travel to the registry office on a fiancé visa.

Step 2 – Documentation

A few basic documents like your birth certificates, passports, proof of address, proof of change of name (if applicable), and divorce decree or death certificate of a previous spouse (if applicable) are required.

The immigration team can ask for a few more documents if required.

Make sure you take original documents as they don’t accept photocopies.

Step 3 – Interview

After they scan your documents, they will interview you and your partner.

They will ask some general questions like your spouse’s full name, address, and occupation. They may also ask yours and your partner’s parents’ name and occupation. 

You don’t have to worry. This interview is just a formality. They just want to make sure that there are no red flags and that you two are not related.

Step 4 – The Fee

The registrar office will change between £35-40 per person. The price depends on your district. The council may charge extra money for handling documents of your divorce or civil partnership resolution.

Apart from the fee for giving notice, they will also charge some money on the actual day of the wedding. This cost will be anywhere between £50-200 depending on many factors like the number of guests, venue location, timing, etc.

Step 5 – Waiting Period

After you have submitted your application for the notice, the council will take 28 days to approve your request. This time allows for any important checks to be completed.

This is also the time when you want to make sure all the information you have submitted is correct. It will be way harder to deal with any errors on the day of the wedding.

This is also the period when people are open to raise objections to your marriage. However, we have not heard any such thing happen.

Step 6 – The Marriage Ceremony

On the big day, the wedding registrar will be there at the venue to witness your wedding. It is mandatory to have two witnesses – one from your side and one from your spouse’s side.

For a civil ceremony, minimum four (including you, your spouse, and the four witnesses) and maximum 24 people are allowed.

This is also the time for your Asian wedding photography in London to shine.

Step 7 – Receiving the Marriage Certificate

Finally you will receive your marriage certificate. This certificate is the proof of your union.

Make sure all your details along with your name, DOB, and address are correct.