Give notice of marriage

It is important to read the guidance before attending your appointment. You will need to book a new appointment and pay the fees again if you provide incorrect or insufficient documents.

• If you are both British or EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status, you need to give notice at least 28 days before the ceremony. Each person must give notice in the borough where they live, but you do not need to attend the appointment together. 

• If one or both of you are a non-EEA citizen or subject to immigration control, you must give notice at least 70 days before the ceremony. Both of you must attend the appointment together in the borough where you live. 

• Special cases: If one of you is housebound or in prison, we can arrange a visit to give notice. 

To give notice, you must: 

• Have lived in Waltham Forest for at least 7 consecutive days before your appointment. 

• Know your ceremony venue. If you change the venue after your appointment, you will need to give notice again and pay the fees again. 

• Be 18 or older (you cannot give notice if you are under 18). 

If you plan to get married or have your ceremony at a venue in a different borough, check with that borough's Register Office before giving notice to make sure they have availability

For British or EU citizens, bring: 

• A valid passport or full birth certificate.
• Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or Council Tax bill). 
• Any documents showing a name change, if applicable. 

If you or your partner is a non-EEA citizen, bring: 

• Passport. 
• Proof of immigration status (visa, residence permit).
• A passport-sized photo for each person. 
• Proof of address.

If any documents are not in English, bring a certified translation. 

If you are divorced or widowed, bring: 

• Divorce papers (decree absolute)
• Death certificate and marriage certificate of your former spouse (if applicable)

• Notice appointment fee: £42 per person (non-refundable). 
• Additional immigration control fee: £24 (if one or both of you are non-EEA citizens). 
• Divorce document fees: £55 (if the document can be cleared locally) or £83 (if sent to the General Register Office).  

All fees must be paid online when booking. Payments are accepted by debit or credit card only, no cash is accepted.

After your appointment, your notice will be displayed publicly for 28 days at the Register Office. If you are subject to immigration control, the Home Office will need to give clearance before your marriage licence is issued. Once cleared, your licence will be sent to the district where your ceremony is taking place. 

A notice of marriage or civil partnership is valid for 12 months. 

If you plan to get married in a Church of England, it’s important to speak to the vicar of the church. Based on your circumstances and your connection to the church, the vicar will advise whether your marriage can be conducted by banns or if you will need to give notice.