Once you have decided on the date and chosen a venue, you must both 'give notice' by signing a legal statement at your local registry office.
Giving notice involves attending an appointment where you will declare:
- who you intend to marry or form a civil partnership with
- where the ceremony will take place
- that you are legally free to get married or form a civil partnership
Where to give notice
- Notice must be given in the district where you live, regardless of where your marriage or civil partnership occurs.
- If you live in Lincolnshire, you can book an appointment to give notice at any of our registry offices.
- If you live outside of Lincolnshire, you must give your notice of marriage or civil partnership at the registry office in your district(s).
- If you or your partner are foreign nationals subject to immigration control, you must both give notice together. Notices must be given in the district where you live. You can choose which district to give notice in if you live in separate districts.
- If one or both of you live abroad, you must have lived within the registration district for at least 7 full days immediately before you give notice. The day you arrive in Lincolnshire and the day you give notice do not count towards the 7-day residency requirement. You will be required to prove the residency period at your notice appointment. This rule has no exceptions, even if you are a British citizen living abroad.
When to give notice
- Notice can be given up to 12 months in advance. Notices are valid for 12 months. If your marriage or civil partnership does not take place within 12 months of giving notice, you will need to give fresh notices and pay the notice fee again.
- If you change the venue for your ceremony, you will need to give notice again.
- You must both give your notices at least 28 days before your ceremony date (we recommend giving notice at least three months before).
- If you or your partner are foreign nationals and you are subject to immigration control, we may have to refer your marriage to the home office. So you both must give your notices at least 70 days before your ceremony date.
You will need to provide documents to the Registrar at your notice appointment.
If you intend to hold your legal ceremony outside the UK, visit our getting married abroad page.