Marriage and civil partnership - venue approval (new and renewal)

Approval is needed to hold marriages and civil partnerships at your premises.  The proprietor or trustee should apply to us for permission. 

An certificate will be issued showing the premises has been approved for the solemnisation of marriages and registration of civil partnerships in accordance with relevant legislation.

A licence is valid for 3 years and you should apply to renew within the remaining 12 months of the original licence.   

• layout of the premises;
• use of the premises;
• name or full postal address of the premises;
• description of the room or rooms in which the proceedings are to take place;
• name or address of the holder of the approval; and
• name, address or qualification of the responsible person.

Approval of additional rooms is treated as a new application.

£1200

Apply for marriage and civil partnership venue

Apply to renew marriage and civil partnership venue

• a plan of the premises showing the room(s) in which the marriages or civil partnerships will take place;
• if application made on behalf of a limited company separate statement of the names and addresses of all the directors should be included.

The application should be submitted once an advertisement has been placed either in a local newspaper or on our website.  A 21 day consultation period will commence the day after the advert appears and the application and plans will be available for public inspection (refer to guidance notes).

If there are no objections and the premises is deemed suitable approval will be granted 28 days after the end of the consultation period.

If objections are received the application will be considered by the Licensing & Appeals Committee.  There is a right of appeal if the Committee refuses the application.

Premises register