Marriage Registrations
At Southwark register office we want to make sure that your special day runs as smoothly and successfully as possible. Here you can find out what steps you need to take before you get married.
You are always welcome to contact us for further information, help or any advice you might need.
You can obtain a copy of a  marriage certificate online.
Where can I get married?
You are able to get married in places that have been officially registered for marriages.
These are
- A register office. Contact us for a booklet on Southwark's marriage suite or see the register office's location
- An approved building; in Southwark this includes several halls, historic venues and even ships. View the list of approved venues or pick up a copy from the register office
- A place of religious worship in the borough where one of you lives
- A place of religious worship outside the borough in which you both live but which one of you uses as a place of worship
Do I have to give notice that I want to get married?
Telling us that you intend to get married is a legal requirement.
First, you must decide on the venue where you would like to be married, before registering your intent to marry. If you want a civil ceremony, you must give notice to the registrar in both of the boroughs in which you and your partner live, unless one or both of you is subject to immigration control. Please phone to make an appointment to do this. You must do this at least 15 days but not more than 12 months before the wedding ceremony. 
When you arrive to give notice of your wedding you will be greeted by one of our registrars who will ask you to sign an official, legal declaration confirming that the details in the notice are correct. If you sign your name to false information you may find yourself the subject of a legal investigation and possibly prosecution.
If you are getting married in a church, the Church of England and the Church of Wales issue their own notification paperwork. People from other religions must come to the register office to give notice of their marriage.
What documents do I need to bring to complete the notice?
You must bring originals of the following. All documents must be original - photocopies are not acceptable.
- Proof of identity - this should be passports for you and your partner or birth certificates (only if you are British nationals)
- Proof of residence - a bank statement, credit card bill, driver's licence or medical card or council tax statement for yourself and your intended. Utility bills are not acceptable
- If you have been married before, bring a document to show that the marriage has ended: a death certificate and previous marriage certificate if you are a widower or widow, or a decree absolute if you are divorced
- If any documents are in a language other than English, you need to get these translated before giving them to the registrar. They will be submitted to the registrar general for verification
Immigration control
From February 1 2005, the Asylum and Immigration Act 2005 states that if you or the person you wish to marry are subject to immigration control, you can only give your notices at a special designated register office (ie, Southwark register office) that you must attend together. Find out further information on marriage and immigration control.
Certificate of non-impediment
For information about a certificate of non-impediment, which is issued to a British citizen who is marrying a non-British citizen abroad, please contact the register office directly for more information on 020 7525 7651.
When do I give notice?
If you and your partner have both lived in Southwark for at least the past seven days you must give notice to Southwark register office. The notice is displayed for 15 days, after which you may marry. The marriage must take place within a year of giving notice.
If your partner lives in another borough then notice must be made in each borough and the notice collected from the other borough after 16 days and returned to the Southwark office. Remember to do this before you get married. If one person lives abroad, they must live in the borough at least seven days before the notice can be given.
The above procedure is also known as 'marriage by certificate'. Until January 2001 it was also possible to get married by special licence that involved only one of the couple giving notice of marriage; this option is no longer available as the law has been changed.
Appointments and walk-in service
If you live in Southwark and wish to give your legal notice of marriage, we offer a walk-in service for the first five couples arriving at 9.30am, Monday to Friday.
The walk-in service is only available to couples who are getting married within the next 2 months. If your wedding is more than 2 months away, please book an appointment to give notice
If you would rather make an appointment, contact us on 020 7525 7651 Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm.
Who can conduct the ceremony?
The ceremony must be conducted by
- The superintendent registrar and registrar of marriage or
- An authorised person (a priest, vicar) who will register the marriage and issue you with a marriage certificate
How much does it cost?
Ceremony services
The following costs are effective from 1st April 2008.
- Notice fee (per person), £30.00
- Ceremony at register office - Monday to Thursday, £40.00
- Ceremony at register office - Friday and Saturday, £131.50
- Copy certificate, £3.50
- Marriage in church £50.50
Attendance of the registrars at an approved building
- Monday to Thursday £220
- Friday or Saturday £330
- Sunday/Bank Holiday £360
These charges must be paid in cash, or by cheque supported by a cheque guarantee card or by credit or debit card. Please make cheques payable to the London Borough of Southwark.
Contact us
Southwark Register Office
Tel: 020 7525 7651
Fax: 020 7525 7652
registrars@southwark.gov.uk
34 Peckham Road
London
SE5 8QA |