Marriage

Getting married is a very special occasion in your life. The Enfield Registration Service will help make arranging your wedding as easy as possible, and will ensure it's a happy and memorable occasion for you both.

We have tried to answer the most frequently asked questions, but this is a big subject and there is a lot to cover. If the answer you are looking for isn't here then please contact us and we will do our best to help

• Where can we get married?

  There are four main options to choose from.

  A civil ceremony at the Admiral's Suite. 

  The Admiral's Suite is a part of Enfield Register Office which is located at 1 Gentleman's Row Enfield EN2 6PS. You may marry in any Register Office in England and Wales.

  A civil ceremony at an Approved Venue.

    This can be a hotel or banqueting suite that has been licensed by the local authority as a place in which civil weddings can be conducted. You may marry in any approved venue in England and Wales.

  A religious ceremony at a place of worship.                                               

  The church or religious building must normally be situated in the registration district where you or your partner live unless either or both of you usually go to worship in a building in another registration district. You may also get married in another district if there is no building of your religion in the district where you or your partner lives.

  A religious ceremony at a Church of England or Church of Wales church. 

  You will need to speak to the vicar of the church. There is usually no need to involve the Register Office in any of these arrangements as the Vicar normally reads the Banns.

• How do we book our ceremony?

  At Enfield Register Office in the Admiral's Suite....

  If you are marrying at the Admiral's Suite check with Enfield Register Office that the date and the time you want are available. You will be able to make a provisional booking, but this will not be confirmed until you have Given Notice.

  At another Register Office....

  If you are marrying at another Register Office check with the appropriate Office that the date and the time you want is available. You will then need to Give Notice.

  At an Approved Venue....

  If you are marrying at an approved venue (such as a Hotel or Banqueting Suite) speak to the venue first to make a booking then check with the Register Office that there is a Registrar available to conduct the ceremony on the date and at the time you want. You will then need to Give Notice.

  At a place of worship....

  If you are marrying in a religious ceremony at a place of worship speak to the person in charge to make your arrangements. You will only need a Registrar to attend if the place of worship does not have an Approved Person to complete the marriage paperwork. If there is no approved person you will need to contact the Register Office to arrange for a Registrar to attend on the day. You will then need to Give Notice.

  At a Church of England Church....

  If you are marrying in a religious ceremony at a Church of England Church there is no need to involve a Registrar in any part of the process. You will not usually be required to Give Notice.

  Enquire about a provisional date for a marriage
  

• What is Giving Notice of Marriage?

  By law you have to give a notice of marriage, which is a formal declaration of your intention to marry. You are both required to give a notice of marriage in person. If you live in the London Borough of Enfield you must give notice at Enfield Register Office. 
  Notices of Marriage in Enfield are taken by appointment only.                                                                                                                                                                        Please contact us for further information or to make an appointment.                                                                                           
  For British or EEA Nationals, if either or both of you live in other districts then you must give notice in that district or districts. This does not prevent you marrying in the district of your choice.
  Foreign Nationals with settled status (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or Non-EEA Nationals subject to immigration control, must Give Notice at a Designated Register Office, and attend together.                                                                                                
  Please note that the marriage can only take place at the venue you name on the notice of marriage. If you were to change the venue it would be necessary to give, and pay for, fresh notices of marriage.
  If you are marrying in any religious building other than the Church of England or Church of Wales, you are still both required to give a notice of marriage.

• How much notice do we need to give?

  You cannot give a notice of marriage more than 12 months before the date of marriage. A marriage cannot take place until 16 days after you have given your notice.

• How long is my notice valid for?

  By law you cannot marry until 15 clear days have passed after the day on which you gave notice. For example, if you give notice on the 1st March, then the first day on which you would be able to marry would be the 17th March.

  Your authority to marry expires one year after the day on which you give your notice.

• Who may marry in England and Wales?

  If you are a national of any of the following countries you are entitled to marry in England or Wales as long as you can successfully complete the notice requirements. These counties form the European Economic Area (EEA).

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Irish Republic
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Slovenia
  • Slovak Republic
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom

• How do I Give Notice if I am an (EEA) European Economic Area National?

  At the Enfield Register Office you need to make an appointment by telephone or by visiting the office. Click here for our contact details.
  At your appointment you will need to bring:

  • The current fee - click here for a list of our fees.  You may pay by cash or card.
  • A valid passport
  • If you are divorced you will need proof of your divorce (You will need original court documents. A Decree Absolute can be obtained from the court where the divorce was granted)
  • If you are a widow or widower we will need to see a certified copy of your former spouse's death certificate
  • If you have changed your name by deed poll or statutory declaration we will need to see those documents.
  • Proof of your current address. We accept a driving licence, council tax letter, recent bank or credit card statement or NHS medical card.

  All documents must be originals. Photocopies will not be accepted.  A translation will be required together with the original document if it is not in English. Unless you provide all the required documents at the start of your notice interview the Registrar will not be able to take your notice.

• Giving notice if you are not an (EEA) European Economic Area National

  If either the Bride or Groom (or both) have a form of Settled Status (Indefinite Leave to Remain / Enter the UK) or are subject to immigration control, it is essential that they Give Notice together at the same office.
  You can Give Notice at Enfield (or any other Designated Register Office) even if you do not live in the Borough. To make an appointment please telephone or visit the office. Click here for our contact details.
  At your appointment you will need to bring:

  • The current fee - click here for a list of our fees. You may pay by cash or card
  • A valid passport
  • If you are divorced you will need proof of your divorce (You will need original court documents. A Decree Absolute can be obtained from the court where the divorce was granted)
  • If you are a widow or widower we will need to see a certified copy of your former spouse's death certificate
  • If you have changed your name by deed poll or statutory declaration we will need to see those documents.
  • Proof of your current address. We accept a driving licence, council tax letter, recent bank or credit card statement or NHS medical card.
  • If you fall within a class of persons specified by the Secretary of State (this will be someone with settled status in the UK), this would normally be a stamp or sticker in your passport. Otherwise please bring your Immigration Status Document.

  All documents must be originals. Photocopies will not be accepted.  A translation will be required together with the original document if it is not in English. Unless you provide all the required documents at the start of your notice interview the Registrar will not be able to take your notice.
  British citizens, EEA and foreign nationals who have been given the right of abode in the UK or who are members of visiting forces from NATO and Commonwealth countries or who are diplomats are not subject to immigration control and can continue to give notice in their district of residence.

• How do I book an appointment to Give Notice?

  Telephone or visit the Enfield Register Office to make an appointment. Click here for our contact details.
  At your appointment you will need to bring:

  • Evidence of your settled status or right of abode in the UK (if applicable)
  • The current fee - click here for a list of our fees. You may pay by cash or card.
  • A passport or a full birth certificate
  • If you are presenting a full birth certificate you will also need to show one form of photographic identification.
  • If you are divorced you will need proof of your divorce (You will need original court documents. A Decree Absolute can be obtained from the court where the divorce was granted)
  • If you are a widow or widower we will need to see a certified copy of your former spouse's death certificate
  • If you have changed your name by deed poll or statutory declaration we will need to see those documents.
  • Proof of your current address. We accept a driving licence, council tax letter, recent bank or credit card statement or NHS medical card.

  All documents must be originals. Photocopies will not be accepted.  A translation will be required together with the original document if it is not in English. Unless you provide all the required documents at the start of your notice interview the Registrar will not be able to take your notice.

• Getting married in the Admiral's Suite, Gentleman's Row?

  The Admiral's Suite is an elegant marriage room which seats 40 with space for a further 10 guests standing.  On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we offer a standard wedding ceremony - including 1 marriage certificate.

  On Friday and Saturday we offer an enhanced wedding ceremony which includes a choice of ceremony scripts, own selection of music and the traditional bridal entrance.  You can also personalise your ceremony with your own choice of readings or poetry, which can be read by a member of your family or the wedding party. 

  Our staff at the Enfield Register Office will be happy to show you the Admiral's Suite. But please telephone first. If you need further information please contact us. 

• Getting married at an approved venue?

  An approved venue is any building, such as a hotel, that has been licensed as a place in which civil marriages can be conducted.

  First of all you should contact your chosen venue and provisionally book a date and time. Secondly, contact us  to check that a Registrar will be available on the day and at the time you want. Thirdly, both of you have to give notice to marry. Finally, about 6 weeks before the wedding you will need to attend a co-ordination meeting at the Register Office to discuss the details of your ceremony, choice of readings, music etc. and pay your fee to the Registrar. 

  This is the procedure if the venue is in The London Borough of Enfield. If you are marrying at a venue in another registration district you will need to make your arrangements with that Register Office.

• Marrying in a Church of England ceremony?

  If you are marrying in the Church of England or in the Church of Wales the banns will usually be called by the vicar. In this instance you do not need to involve the Register Office at all in your arrangements.

  If you are marrying in any other religion you will need to give notice at the Register Office

• We want to get married abroad?

  This process can become very complex. Marriage rules can vary greatly from country to country. If you have any doubts please contact us  so that we can advise you on your particular circumstances.

  In general, if you have decided to marry abroad you should first contact that country's authorities who will be able to tell you how to proceed and what documentation will be required

  It is important that you check very carefully not only what documents are needed, but also when they are needed and how long they are valid for. Every country has its own rules so do take care.

  You may be asked to provide a Certificate of No Impediment. British citizens may obtain this from their local Register Office by giving notice. The process is the same as for giving Notice to Marry.

  If you, as a British Citizen, are marrying a foreign national abroad the certificate cannot be issued until 21 clear days after you have given notice. If two British Citizens are marrying abroad the certificate will be issued after 15 clear days have elapsed.

  Certificates of No Impediment are only issued to British Subjects.

• How much will the marriage ceremony cost?

  Please click here for a list of our fees 

  Please note that this is the fee for the Registrars to attend the ceremony. Venue costs, such as catering, will need to be arranged directly with the venue.

• When can we get married?

  • Admiral's Suite at Enfield Register Office -
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

  • Approved Venues
  • Monday - Sunday inclusive

  Please click here for a list of our fees

  Please note that the fee is for the Registrars to attend the ceremony and does not include venue costs, such as catering, and will need to be arranged directly with the venue.

• Got more questions about getting married?

  If you have any more questions about getting married, then please contact us.