Islington Council

Giving notice is the legal process through which couples must go before getting married or registering as civil partners. If you wish to get married or form a civil partnership in England or Wales you must each give formal ‘Notice of Intention’ to a Superintendent Registrar at least 16 days before the date of your ceremony. If you plan to be married in the Church of England, you should see your local parish priest, who will arrange for the Banns of Marriage to be published. See Religious Ceremonies for more information.

A notice states the names, age, sex, marital status, address, occupation and nationality of the people intending to marry or form a civil partnership. It also states the intended venue for the ceremony. Both of you must give notice in person. You cannot give notice by telephone, fax or email, nor can a relative or friend do this on your behalf. Notices are displayed on the public notice boards of the register office where the notices are given for 15 days. Only then can the ‘authorities for marriage’ or civil partnership ‘schedule’ be issued.

The marriage authorities or schedule must be collected from the register office where you gave notice and taken to whoever is officiating at the ceremony, be they a religious minister or a registrar, in advance of the ceremony. Your marriage cannot take place without them.

The marriage authorities or schedule are only valid for use in the venue stated, so it is vital that you are certain of the place in which you plan to be married or form a civil partnership at the time of giving your notice. If you need to change the venue after giving your notice you will be required to give fresh notices stating the new venue.

A notice of marriage or civil partnership is valid for 12 months. You may not, therefore, give notice to the superintendent registrar more than 12 months before the date of your ceremony. However you may be able to make a provisional booking with the superintendent register.

To register your Notice of Intention, you will need to make an appointment. See the link below for contact details.

• Contact the Registrars