How much does notice of marriage cost in the UK in 2026?

£42 per person, £84 for the couple, at any register office in England or Wales. Northern Ireland is similar at around £40 per person. Scotland uses a different system (the Marriage Notice form M10) costing £30 per person plus £10 for the marriage schedule. If either of you is from outside the UK or Republic of Ireland, the fee is the same but the notice must be given at a 'designated' register office and the immigration referral takes longer.

How long is notice of marriage valid in the UK?

12 months from the date you gave notice. You must marry within that 12-month window or re-give notice (and pay again). The marriage schedule itself is also valid for 12 months. If you're booking a venue more than 12 months in advance, give notice when you're 9-11 months out, never earlier, otherwise the notice will expire before the wedding day.

Can you give notice of marriage online in the UK?

No, you cannot give notice fully online in 2026. You can book the notice appointment online and complete some pre-appointment forms digitally, but the notice itself has to be given in person at a register office because the registrar must verify your ID and signatures face-to-face. Some councils now offer evening or Saturday slots to make this easier for working couples.

What happens if you miss the 28-day notice period?

If you give notice fewer than 28 clear days before your intended wedding date, the registrar cannot issue your marriage schedule in time and your ceremony cannot legally go ahead on that date. You'll either need to postpone the wedding or apply to the Registrar General for permission to reduce the waiting period, only granted in genuinely exceptional circumstances (terminal illness, pregnancy, posting overseas) and rarely for last-minute admin oversights.

Do you give notice where you live or where you'll marry?

Where you live, not where you'll marry. Each partner gives notice at the register office covering their home address. The wedding itself can be in any English or Welsh register office or licensed venue (you don't have to marry in your home borough). If you're getting married in Scotland, both partners give notice at the Scottish register office where you'll marry, regardless of where you live.

Can you give notice of marriage if you're not a UK citizen?

Yes, but the process is longer. If either of you is subject to UK immigration control (not a British, Irish or settled-status holder), you must give notice at a 'designated' register office and the notice period extends from 28 to 70 days. The Home Office can investigate suspected sham marriages during this period. Bring your passport, biometric residence permit (if applicable), and proof of immigration status to the appointment.

How to Give Notice of Marriage in the UK

3 September 2025

You might have heard the phrase “notice of marriage” floating around when you started organising your wedding, but what does it actually mean?

Giving notice is actually your formal declaration to a local register office that you and your partner intend to marry. It’s not just a formality but rather a legal requirement that ensures your marriage is valid and recognised by law.

Therefore, we’ll walk you through the process, answer common questions, and explain why it is so important on your journey to saying “I do.”

What Is A Notice Of Marriage

Giving notice of marriage means officially declaring your intention to get married or form a civil partnership. It is a legal statement that you have to make in person at your local register office. Both partners must attend in person and provide documentation that confirms:

You are of a legal age.
You are not currently married or in a civil partnership.
You are not closely related to one another.
You have the correct immigration status, if needed.

Although it may seem a bit too much for you, this process is designed to prevent any unlawful or bigamous unions. Notice is displayed publicly at the register office for 28 days, allowing anyone with a legal objection to come forward.

The Basics of Giving Notice of Marriage

Timing is critical when planning your wedding in the UK. Therefore, here are the key rules to keep in mind.

You must give notice at least 29 days before your wedding date.
Your marriage ceremony must take place within 12 months of giving notice, or you’ll need to start over.

Furthermore, please note that you should give the notice in person at your local marriage registration office. You need to have lived in the registration district for at least 7 days before giving notice.

Now, if partners live in different districts, each must notify their respective register office, though they do not have to do it on the same day.

However, if your partner is from outside the UK and does not have British citizenship, you must give notice of marriage together at the same register office. Similarly, you must have lived there for at least 7 days to avoid any unnecessary delays and inconvenience.

Required Documentation

When it’s time for you to attend your notice appointment, you’ll need to bring several documents to prove your identity and eligibility. Plan to gather these documents well in advance of your appointment, as obtaining divorce papers or translations may take time.

Valid passport or UK birth certificate (if born before January 1, 1984).
Proof of address (recent utility bill, bank statement, council tax bill, or driving licence).
Details of the marriage venue, date, and time.
If previously married, a decree absolute or a death certificate of the former spouse (with English translation if applicable).
For non-UK nationals, valid evidence of immigration status and a passport-style photograph are required.

The Appointment

After successfully gathering all your notice of marriage documents, you’ll be able to continue with the appointment. There, you will meet with the superintendent registrar, and you’ll have to answer questions regarding the venue and date of your wedding. Once everything is in order, the registrar will issue the notice of marriage, which will be publicly displayed at the register office for 28 days.

However, there is one more thing to keep in mind. If either partner is subject to immigration control or doesn’t have settled status, the notice period may be extended to 70 days, and additional fees will be applied. So, check your legal status twice before proceeding with the notice.

Costs of Giving Notice

The typical fee for notice of marriage is £42 per person. However, those subject to immigration control will have to pay £57 per person. Additional fees may apply for processing foreign divorces or other exceptional circumstances.

Also, remember, if you change your wedding venue after giving notice, you must give notice again and pay the fees once more.

FAQ

1. Can I give notice of marriage if I do not live in the UK permanently?

Yes, but you must have lived in the registration district where you are giving notice for at least 7 days before your appointment. If you are a non-UK national, additional documents about your immigration status are required.

2. What happens if I miss the 29-day notice period?

Your ceremony cannot legally take place before the notice period ends. You must wait until 29 days after giving notice before getting married. If you miss this window, you may need to reschedule your wedding date.

3. Can I give notice of marriage online?

No, while you can book your appointment online in some districts, you must attend the appointment in person with the original notice of marriage documents. This ensures the registrar can verify your details directly.

4. What if I’m marrying abroad?

You may still need to give notice in the UK if you are a resident planning to marry overseas. But to be absolutely sure, you can check the requirements specific to the country where the marriage will take place.

Conclusion

Because rules and details can vary depending on where you live or your circumstances, it’s always a good idea to check with your local registration office if you have any concerns.

Giving notice of marriage can be a rather straightforward legal step by following the above-mentioned guidelines. That way, your future wedding can go on smoothly, and you can be at ease the whole day.

Once all the legal matters are covered, the team at Big Day Productions is ready to capture your wedding in the best way. Contact us and let’s start planning!

How to give notice of marriage in the UK in 2026

The complete step-by-step process for giving notice of marriage at a UK register office in 2026, from booking your appointment to receiving your marriage schedule.

Decide where you'll get married and confirm your wedding dateYou can't give notice until your wedding venue and date are agreed. The notice is tied to the place of marriage, you must name the exact venue (or 'a register office in [council name]') on the notice form. If your venue or date changes after notice is given, you may need to re-give notice at additional cost.
Book your notice appointment online with your local councilEach of you must give notice in person at the register office covering where you live (not where you'll marry). Book the appointment online via your council's website. Wait times in 2026 are 2-6 weeks for most councils, so book at least 8 weeks before you want to give notice.
Gather the required documentsYou'll need photo ID (passport or photocard driving licence), proof of address from the last three months (utility bill, bank statement, council tax letter), full name and address details for both partners, and parents' full names and occupations. If either of you has been married before, bring the original decree absolute or the previous spouse's death certificate.
Attend your notice appointment in personEach appointment lasts about 30 minutes. The registrar will go through the legal declarations with you, check your documents, and ask the questions on the notice form. You'll pay £42 per person at the appointment (£84 a couple in 2026). If either of you is from outside the UK or Republic of Ireland, the appointment is longer and the notice period is 70 days instead of 28.
Wait the 28-day notice period (or 70 days if applicable)Your notice is publicly displayed at the register office for 28 clear days. You cannot legally marry during this period. Don't book non-refundable suppliers for any date inside the notice window, if a documentation issue is raised, the registrar can pause or restart the period.
Collect your marriage schedule (or marriage authority in Scotland)Once the 28 days have passed, the registrar issues your marriage schedule, the legal document required for the ceremony itself. In England and Wales the schedule is collected from the office where you gave notice; in Scotland the equivalent is the marriage schedule issued by the registrar where you'll marry. The schedule is valid for 12 months from the date notice was given.
Take the schedule to your wedding ceremonyOn the day, hand the marriage schedule to your registrar or officiant before the ceremony begins. After the ceremony, the schedule is signed by you, your partner, both witnesses, and the registrar, and the marriage is legally registered within a few days. Order your marriage certificate copies (£11 each in 2026) at the same office.

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