Staffordshire Registration Service

 

Marriages - There are 4,500 weddings a year in Staffordshire and, since the Marriage Act 1994 came into effect, couples travel from all over the UK - and the world - to get married here.

For wedding couples, the choice is immense.  We have 50 approved premises for civil weddings, seven district Register Offices and hundreds of religious buildings.

These can cater for all sizes of wedding parties, and all types of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Civil ceremonies - These can take place in a Register Office or approved premises that have been licensed by the County Council.

The law does not allow for civil marriages to be held in the open air, in a tent or marquee, or in any other moveable structures such as a boat or a hot air balloon.  Neither can a civil marriage take place in a building that has a past or continuing connection with any religion.

There are seven district Register Offices in Staffordshire: Burton, Cannock, Leek, Lichfield, Newcastle, Stafford and Wombourne.

There are 50 approved premises and these are distributed widely across the county.  As new premises are always being added to the public register of approved premises, you may want to check the latest venues with us by telephone (01785) 277822 or by e-mail.
Giving notice - Before you can marry in a civil ceremony you must give notice of your intention to marry.  You can give notice in two ways, depending on how quickly you want to marry and how long you have lived at your home address:
Without licence - You must have lived in the district where you give notice for at least seven days.  Once you have given notice you must wait at least 22 days before the ceremony can take place.
With licence - You must have lived in the district for at least 15 days.  Once you have given notice you must wait at least one day before the ceremony can take place.

Religious ceremonies - For marriages in the Church of England or Church in Wales, you should contact the local parish clergyman.

If you intend to marry in any other religious building, you must give notice at the district Register Office as described above.

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