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Getting Married

Marriage Authority

This is the document that allows you to get married. How to get one...
Once you have given notice you must wait a minimum of 15 complete days, whilst the notice is publicly displayed at the register office, before the marriage can take place (e.g. if you give notice on January 2nd then you cannot marry until January 18th).

If you are marrying out of your district(s) of residence, you must collect a marriage authority (or authorities) from your local register office(s), after the waiting period has expired.

These documents (one for each of you) are the legal authorisation for your marriage to take place and must be delivered to the register office of the district in which you are to be married, before the day of your wedding.

The authority is valid for one year from the date the notice was given.

There is a statutory fee for each person giving notice of marriage.

More help


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