How to arrange a marriage

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 and there is a standard fee for this. If you live in Manchester you must give notice to the Manchester Registration Service. If either or both of you are from another district, then you must give the notice at your local register office (unless advised otherwise for example, if either of you is a non-EEA National - see below).

The marriage itself can take place at the Manchester Register Office if you wish.

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.

To make an appointment to give a notice of marriage, please telephone the Register Office on 0161 234 5005.

Non-European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals

If either you or your partner are subject to immigration control, you must both give notice, together, at a Designated Register Office. Manchester Register Office has been given the status of Designated Register Office by the Home Office.

A full list of Designated Register Offices in England and Wales can be found on the DirectGov website.

From 9th May 2011 you will no longer be required to provide a Certificate of Approval (COA) when you give notice.

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 the notice.

What do we need to produce?

You will need to make an appointment by phone or by calling in to the office.

At your appointment you will need to bring:

• The current fee (see fees information below)

• Evidence of nationality

British Citizens

If born in the UK on or after 1st January 1983 - British Passport or a naturalisation/registration certificate from the Home Office.  If this cannot be produced a full birth certificate together with evidence of the nationality of one of the parents. If married at the time of the birth either parents birth certificate.  If unmarried, mothers birth certificate.  If adopted an adoption certificate together with the birth certificate of the relevant adopted parent.

Non British Citizens

A National Identity Card or driving licence issued by the authorities in their country of origin which has a photo of the holder.  Please note: A National Identity Card or driving licence can only be accepted if it states nationality.

If you do not have any of this evidence, please contact the Register Office for advice.

• If you have previously been married or in a Civil Partnership in this or any other country and it ended in divorce, dissolution or annulment you will be required to produce the original court document.  If in this country you will require the decree absolute, dissolution certificate or annulment all of which can be obtained from the court where the divorce, dissolution or annulment was granted.  If your divorce, dissolution or annulment was in a different country you will need to produce the original document from the court and full translation if applicable.

• If you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner you will need to provide the death certificate of your former husband, wife or civil partner.  If you are not mentioned on the death certificate as the widow, widower or surviving civil partner you will also need to produce your marriage or civil partnership certificate.

• If you have changed your name by deed poll or statutory declaration you will need to provide those documents.

• Proof of current address, this can be a utility bill, bank statement or driving licence. 

Please note: All documentation must be original.  We cannot accept photocopied documentation.

Ceremonies at the Manchester Register Office.

Ceremonies at the Manchester Register Office are held in the Pankhurst Suite.

Within the Pankhurst Suite is a large ceremony room which can accommodate up to seventy guests, a large waiting area for guests and a small private waiting room especially for the use of the bride and groom or civil partners.

For those wanting a basic ceremony, with just two witnesses and no guests, there are some times during the week when the Pankhurst Suite can be booked at a lower fee, but availability is limited (see Standard Ceremony fees information below).

The Pankhurst Suite is very popular as a marriage venue, particularly in the busy summer months. In view of this you can provisionally book, your ceremony in the Pankhurst Suite, up to 24 months before it is due to take place. This will allow you to go ahead and make your other arrangements knowing that the time and venue for your ceremony has been fixed.

What will the ceremony be like?

The Superintendent Registrar will begin by welcoming you and your guests followed by the traditional marriage ceremony introduction.

From then on, you can design the ceremony, using a booklet we provide to you which explains the possible choices. There are certain words, which must be included by law, (the Declaration and the Contract) but even here there is an element of choice. You can lengthen the ceremony further by using readings or poetry, but these must not have any religious content.

Music can be played during the bride's entrance and during the signing of the register. You may bring your own CDs or choose from our music list.

Again, music cannot be religious in nature.

Can I have a civil marriage anywhere else in Manchester?

It is possible to marry in any approved venue in England and Wales. Civil weddings may now take place in hotels, banqueting suites, stately homes and other places which have been licensed by the local authority.

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.

To see a list of approved premises for the City of Manchester, take a look at our list of licensed venues.

Please contact the office, or call in to receive a copy of our full colour brochure. This gives details and photographs of the office accommodation as well as the alternative approved venues in Manchester. The brochure provides helpful advice and information about official requirements.

Fees

• Notice of Intention to Marry: £67 (£33.50 per person)
  
• Marriage at Manchester Register Office

Standard Ceremony
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday        £43.50
(Limited availability)
Bride and Groom + 2 witnesses only. This is a basic ceremony.

Pankhurst Suite
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday        £100
Friday and Saturday                            £130
The Pankhurst Suite holds up to 70 guests, and the ceremony can be enhanced by readings or music (optional)

• Registrars to attend (for marriages at a licensed venue in Manchester):
  Monday - Thursday £271.50
  Friday and Saturday £319.50
  Sundays and Bank Holidays £377.50

All prices include the cost of one marriage certificate. These are reviewed annually in April.