Southampton City Council fact sheet
How can I get married in church?
A religious ceremony can take place in a church, chapel or other building of religious worship. The Service is conducted by the minister in accordance with the religious rites and ceremonies of the premises. If you wish to be married in a religious building your first step should be to contact the Minister or other person in charge of marriages in the building to discuss the date and time for your wedding.
If the date is within the next 12 months you will have to contact your local Register Office and arrange to give your notice of marriage (unless you are marrying in the Church of England or Church in Wales and the Vicar is calling Banns).
If you plan to marry by religious ceremony other than in the Church of England or Church in Wales you will need to check with the Minister whether a Registrar will be required to attend the ceremony to register your marriage.
Where can I have a civil marriage ceremony?
A civil ceremony can take place in a register office or other building licensed for marriage ceremonies within England and Wales. The ceremony is conducted by a superintendent registrar and a registrar.
In Southampton, we have two marriage rooms available at 6a Bugle Street - the Register office marriage room and The Golden Jubilee Room.
The Register office marriage room
Seats a maximum of 20 people and is decorated in a modern style.
The Golden Jubilee Room
Seats up to 50 and room for a few extra guests to stand. It has a beautiful stained glass window featuring the city coat of arms, the shields matching those on the Bargate and the seal of the City of Southampton.
England and Wales approved premises
A complete list of all the approved premises for marriage in England and Wales is available from the general register office website http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/marriages/where-can-i-marry/finding--an--approved--venue.asp
Southampton approved premises
There are also several buildings in Southampton which are licensed for civil marriages. For a full list of venues check out the website at http://www.southampton.gov.uk/people/lifeevents/partner/getting-married/where-civilmarriage.asp#0
Can I get married abroad?
If you would like to get married abroad different rules apply. For more information see General Register Office website. Further information is also available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by telephone on 020 7270 1500 between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm
I am a foreign national, can I marry in the UK?
From 5 December 2005, if you are subject to immigration control and you want to marry or register a civil partnership in the United Kingdom (UK) you will need to follow the procedures below. You must either:
hold a fiancé(e) or visitor - marriage / civil partnership entry clearance (visa), or
hold a Home Office certificate of approval*, or
be settled in the UK (e.g. indefinite leave to remain)
You must also give notice to marry / register a civil partnership to a registrar at one of a number of designated register offices throughout the UK. For more information see the Home Office website.
How far ahead can I book my wedding?
You can make a provisional booking to get married at Southampton Register Office as far ahead as our diary goes, which is usually about two years.
You can do this by contacting us by phone, fax or email, giving us your names, contact details and the date you wish to marry. Once the date on which you are getting married is within 12 months you should both make an appointment at your local Register Office to give notice of marriage.
If you are marrying in a church or approved premises you should contact the minister or responsible person at the premises to make a provisional booking with them before giving notice at your local Register Office.
Please note - if you are marrying in the Church of England or Church in Wales and the Vicar is calling banns you will not need to give notice of marriage at the Register Office.
What are the legal preliminaries?
Before you can get married there is a legal requirement for you both to attend in person to give a notice of marriage at the register office in the district where you live (except if you are marrying in the Church of England or Church in Wales and the vicar is calling banns).
Most register offices have an appointment system for you to do this. When you visit the register office you will be asked some simple questions about yourself and your partner. You will need to specify the venue in which your marriage will take place. The superintendent registrar will complete a form for you to sign which will be displayed on the register office notice board for 15 clear days.
On the 16th day your authority to marry will be issued. Your marriage must take place within 12 months of the first notice being given.
How much does it cost to get married?
Notice of Marriage
The legal preliminaries to all civil (and some church) marriages requires both bride and groom to give a 'Notice of Marriage'. There is a charge for this of £30 each.
Marriage in the Register Office Marriage Room
The fee to be paid a month before the ceremony is £43.50 (including the cost of one marriage certificate).
Marriage in The Golden Jubilee Room, 6a Bugle Street
The fee to be paid a month before the ceremony (including the cost of one marriage certificate) is:
£79.50 Monday to Thursday
£105.00 Friday
£129.50 Saturday
Marriage at Approved Premises
£224.50 Monday to Friday
£281.50 Saturday
£350.50 Sunday & Bank Holidays
This fee must be paid to the Superintendent Registrar one month before the ceremony is due to take place, and includes the cost of one marriage certificate and the attendance of two Registrars.
Please note that these charges do not include any charge made by the owners of the building for the hire of the premises.
Extra Marriage Certificates
It is possible to obtain further copies for a fee of £3.50. However, once the marriage register is completed and deposited with the Superintendent Registrar, the fee for a certificate increases to £7.00
Renewal of Vows, Commitment and Naming Ceremonies
The fee to be paid for a ceremony in The Golden Jubilee Room is:
£105.75 Monday to Friday
£196.22 Saturday
£242.05 Sunday/Bank Holiday
The fee to be paid for a ceremony at an Approved Premise is:
£144.53 Monday to Friday
£196.22 Saturday
£242.05 Sunday/Bank Holiday
All charges include VAT
What will I need to take with me?
When you go to see the Superintendent Registrar to give notice of marriage you will each need to take:
Current Passport
Birth Certificate
Any change of name document (eg deed poll or declaration)
Decree Absolute if divorced (with translation if not in English)
Death certificate of former spouse if widowed.
Proof of address (ie utility bill, driving licence or bank statement)
Completed consent form if under 18 years of age
Fee of £30 each
If you do not have the documents please contact us for advice.
How do I change my name after marriage?
It is traditional (but not compulsory) for a woman to change her name after marriage. The list below is a checklist of organisations that you may need to inform when you change your name and they may want to see a copy of your marriage certificate:
- Banks / building societies
- Benefits agency (department for work and pensions)
- Council tax office
- Credit card companies
- Doctor
- Dentist
- DVLA
- Electricity supplier
- Employer
- Finance and loan companies
- Gas supplier
- Inland revenue
- Insurance companies (car, medical, property, home contents and life)
- Internet services provider
- Mail order companies
- Mortgage provider
- Motoring organisations
- Opticians
- Passport service
- Pension provider
- Professional institutes and trades unions
- Rental companies
- Satellite or cable television company
- Sports and social clubs
- Store cards
- Telephone supplier
Please note: If you wish to travel on your honeymoon in your married name you can apply for a passport in you new name ahead of your wedding.
Contact Name
Last updated: 26 June 2008