Hands holding a peach and pink wedding bouquet, with rings

Giving notice

You cannot give notice through Sooner Date. It is in person at your local register office.

1Book noticeIn person, at your local register office. Not through us.
2Wait 29 daysGive notice at least 29 days before the ceremony.
3Marry within 12 monthsThe notice names the venue, and it does not last forever.

Who gives notice, and where

Giving notice means signing a legal statement at a register office that you intend to marry or form a civil partnership. You usually need an appointment at your local office. You must have lived in that registration district for the past 7 days. Find your register office on GOV.UK.

Both of you must give notice. If you live in different registration districts, you give notice separately, and not necessarily on the same day. You do not both have to attend the same appointment in that case.

If one of you is from outside the UK, you give notice together, unless you both have British or Irish citizenship, settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or an application to that scheme made on or before 30 June 2021 that is still waiting or under appeal. Together, you attend a register office in a district where at least one of you lives.

The process can be different for Anglican weddings. Check with the venue. GOV.UK: give notice.

Fees from 6 April 2026

GOV.UK’s give-notice page explains the appointment. It does not state the fee in pounds. The amounts are in the registration fees regulations, as amended from 6 April 2026.

£46.50 per person when both of you are exempt from immigration control.
£63 per person in any other case. That is the fee when the notice is referred under the immigration scheme.

Each of you pays. Confirm the amount when you book the appointment. Fees regulations, Schedule 1 and the 2026 amendment. Checked 31 October 2026.

29 days, then 12 months

You must give notice at least 29 days before the ceremony. GOV.UK’s example: if you give notice on 1 May, the first ceremony date you could book is 30 May. Some councils describe the same gap as a 28-day waiting period, not counting the day you give notice. In that example both land on 30 May. This site follows the GOV.UK example.

You must hold the ceremony within 12 months of giving notice. You also have to name the final venue when you give notice. GOV.UK: give notice.

What to bring

Taken from GOV.UK’s documents page and put in our own order. Print this, or choose “Save as PDF” in the print dialog. Documents you’ll need to give notice.

Originals, not photocopiesGOV.UK says you must bring the originals of the documents below.
Details of the final ceremony venue
A valid passport, or a UK birth certificateIf you use a UK birth certificate and you were born after 1 January 1983, also bring evidence of your parents’ nationalities, for example their birth certificates.
Proof of any name changeGOV.UK gives a copy of a deed poll as an example. Skip this if your name has not changed.
Proof of your home address — one of theseA valid UK or Irish driving licence; a gas, water or electricity bill from the last 3 months; a bank or building society statement from the last month; a Council Tax bill from the last 12 months; a mortgage statement from the last 12 months; a current tenancy agreement; or a letter from your landlord dated within the last 7 days that confirms you live there and includes their name, address and signature.
A UK contact address, if your normal address is outside the UKGOV.UK says this could be a partner, friend or family member’s address.
If you have been married or in a civil partnership before: a decree absolute or final order, or your former partner’s death certificate
Proof if a divorce, annulment or dissolution was granted outside the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of ManGOV.UK says the local register office charges £55 to check those documents, or £83 if the General Register Office has to check them.
If you or your partner are from outside the UKA passport-sized photo for each of you, even if only one of you is from outside the UK; proof of current immigration status, for example a share code or the visa in your passport; and a translation of any document that is not in English.

Guide only, confirm with your register office. The office can ask for something this list does not cover.

Questions

Can Sooner Date give notice for us?

No. Notice is given in person at your local register office. Sooner Date cannot book it or take the notice.

Where do we give notice?

Usually at the register office for the district where you have lived for the past 7 days. If you live in different districts, you each give notice at your own office.

How long before the ceremony?

GOV.UK says at least 29 days. If you give notice on 1 May, the first ceremony date you could book is 30 May. The ceremony must also be within 12 months of giving notice.

What does notice cost?

From 6 April 2026 the regulations set £46.50 per person when both people are exempt from immigration control, and £63 per person in any other case. GOV.UK’s give-notice page does not print those amounts.

Giving notice

When could you marry?

What to bring

Questions