Getting married in a Church or other Religious Building
Last updated: 16 March 2012 14:13 UKIf you wish to be married in the Church of England, and generally you will only be able to do so if you or your partner lives in the parish, you should first speak to the vicar. If the vicar is able to marry you they will arrange for Banns to be called on three Sundays before the day of your ceremony, or for a common licence to be issued. There is generally no need to involve the Superintendent Registrar unless you are advised to by the vicar.
If however, you wish to be married at any other religious building which is registered for marriages (e.g. Methodist, Baptist, Muslim, Roman Catholic, Sikh etc) you must fulfil all the legal requirements with the Superintendent Registrar in the district where you live by giving notice of marriage.
It is usually only possible to be married in a religious building situated in the district where one or both of you live. You may, however, be married in a religious building in a district where neither of you live, if either or both of you usually worship in that building.
The religious building will generally have a person appointed to register your marriage. However, if this is not the case, you must ensure that a Registrar of Marriages from the local Register Office is available to register your marriage. If this is the case you should contact the local Register Office before finalising any arrangements with the minister. There will be a fee for a Registrar of Marriages to attend.
If you are unsure as to whether you will need a Registrar of Marriages to attend, please contact us and we will be able to advise you.
Our contact details are-
The Register Office, Milldam House, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth PO1 3AF
Telephone: 023 9282 9041
Email: registrars@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Opening hours: 9:00am - 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
