The Legalities of Marriage

The Legalities of Marriage

Event Planning - Weddings

It may be a love match made in heaven, but when you decide to get married, there are still a few practicalities to sort out here on earth first. Here are just a few of them.

THE BASICS

You're technically free to get married in the UK as long as you are over the age of 16. However, depending on which part of the UK you like in, it may not be quite so simple.

" In England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, you will require the written consent of your parents or guardians if you are under 18
" If you live in Jersey, your parents consent is required right up until the age of 20

In the United Kingdom, you're also free to marry as many times as you like - provided, of course, that any previous marriages have been terminated before you enter into a new one!

RELIGIOUS MARRIAGES IN ENGLAND AND WALES

In England and Wales, either the bride or groom must reside in a particular Parish in order to be married there. Your first step should be to speak to your parish priest, who will arrange for the banns to be called: this is when your intention to marry is announced at church, normally for three consecutive weeks prior to the wedding. If you both come from separate parishes, your banns must be called in the churches of both parishes, as well as in the church in which you intend to marry.

There is a small charge of £12 for the publication of your marriage banns, and a further fee of £105 for the ceremony itself, which your parish priest will book for you once your banns have been published.

CIVIL MARRIAGES IN ENGLAND AND WALES

If your marriage is to be a civil partnership, there are still some legalities to consider. The first step here is to speak to the superintendent register of the district in which the ceremony will be held. Unlike a religious ceremony, you don't have to be married in the district where you live, although you must still give notice of your intention to marry at the register office of your own district at least 16 days before your wedding goes ahead.

To arrange your civil wedding:
" Both bridge and groom must attend the register office of the district in which they live to give notice of their intention to marry
" Proof of identity may be required to be shown
" If either of you have been married before, you will also need to provide evidence that the previous marriage has been legally ended
" If you are not getting married in the register office in which you gave notice, you will need to collect your Certificate of Authority, and provide it to the person conducting the wedding
" A fee will apply for your Certificate of Authority, and this is normally set by the local authority of the area in which the certificate is issued

GETTING MARRIED IN SCOTLAND

In Scotland, the law relating to weddings is slightly different: for example, the publishing of banns is no longer a legal requirement for a religious ceremony in Scotland, and a Marriage Notice must be obtained from the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages regardless of which type of wedding you're planning.

In Scotland it is also possible to hold a religious ceremony out of doors, or in a Parish in which neither bride nor groom are resident.

CHANGING YOUR NAME

Many women still choose to change their surname after marriage, although this is not actually a legal requirement.

If you do decide to change your name, your marriage certificate is all that you'll require, and a copy of the certificate sent to the government institutions and other organisations who hold details on you will be sufficient to have the name changed.

It is, however, becoming increasingly popular for one of both partners to adopt a double-barrelled name, using both surnames, and if you wish to take this option, you will need to officially change name via deed poll. Visit www.ukdps.co.uk for more information.