Notice of marriage or civil partnership

You need to bring proof of nationality such as a valid passport. If no passport is available, you can bring any of the following:

• Home Office Naturalisation certificate
• Home Office travel document
• Biometric Residents Permit
• British birth certificates (only)
• if you were born before 1 January 1983 - your full or short birth certificate
• If you were born after 1 January 1983 - your full birth certificate including your parent's details and either parents' birth certificate (short or long):
  • if your parents were married at the time of your birth and you are bringing your father’s birth certificate, you must also bring your parents' marriage certificate
  • if your parents were unmarried at the time of your birth, then only your mother’s birth certificate needs to be seen
  • if your parents were born outside the UK, then you must provide evidence of British Nationality at the time of your birth

You will also need proof of address. This can be:

• a bank statement (dated within 1 month)
• a utility bill (dated within 3 months)
• your most recent Council Tax bill
• a UK driving licence showing your name and address

Previous marriages or civil partnerships

Death

If your previous marriage or civil partnership ended because your spouse or civil partner died, please bring an original death certificate.

Divorce or dissolution

If either party has been married or in a civil partnership before, you should bring your

• original decree absolute or final order
• civil partnership dissolution or final order

This should be translated into English if needed.

If the divorce or civil partnership dissolution was obtained outside the British Isles there will be a consideration fee of up to £75. Consideration does not guarantee that the document will be accepted.

Electronic copies issued by the court will be accepted as long as there is an original court stamp and the document is valid.

Name changes

If either party has been known by any other name before, proof is needed (i.e. change of name deed).

You need to demonstrate a clear link between all of the names on the documents (e.g. a marriage certificate or change of name deed if you have returned to your maiden name).

Proof of settled status

Any foreign nationals who have settled status or pre-settled status will need to provide their immigration status share code at the appointment.

If you don't have settled or pre-settled status, you will need to follow the process below.

If you or your partner are a non-UK or non-settled status citizen and want to get married in England or Wales, you need to give your notice at a designated office:

• Wellingborough for North Northamptonshire
• Northampton for West Northamptonshire

Documents

You need to bring:

• proof of nationality - a valid passport
• recent passport-sized photograph of each party to the marriage

If no passport is available then you can bring any of the following:

• valid National ID card showing nationality, name and age
• Home Office Naturalisation certificate
• Home Office travel document
• Biometric Residents permit
• British birth certificates (only)
• if you were born before 1 January 1983 - your full or short birth certificate
• If you were born after 1 January 1983 - your full birth certificate including your parent's details and either parents' birth certificate (short or long):
  • if your parents were married at the time of your birth and you are bringing your father’s birth certificate, you must also bring your parents' marriage certificate
  • if your parents were unmarried at the time of your birth, then only your mother’s birth certificate needs to be seen
  • if your parents were born outside the UK, then you must provide evidence of British Nationality at the time of your birth

You will also need proof of address. This can be:

• a bank statement (dated within 1 month)
• a utility bill (dated within 3 months)
• your most recent Council Tax bill
• a UK driving licence showing your name and address

Previous marriages or civil partnerships

Death

If your previous marriage or civil partnership ended because your spouse or civil partner died, please bring an original death certificate.

Divorce or dissolution

If either party has been married or in a civil partnership before, you should bring your

• original decree absolute or final order
• civil partnership dissolution or final order

This should be translated into English if needed.

If the divorce or civil partnership dissolution was obtained outside the British Isles there will be a consideration fee of up to £75. Consideration does not guarantee that the document will be accepted.

Electronic copies issued by the court will be accepted as long as there is an original court stamp and the document is valid.

Name changes

If either party has been known by any other name before, proof is needed (i.e. change of name deed).

You need to demonstrate a clear link between all of the names on the documents (e.g. a marriage certificate or change of name deed if you have returned to your maiden name).

Proof of age

If you are under 18, you need to bring proof of parental permission.

Translation

You must provide a translator if either of you cannot speak or understand English. You can't translate for each other.

Church of England and Wales 

Banns or notice

You don't need our Registration service as banns will be called if you are marrying in a Church of England and Wales and are a:

• British citizen
• Irish citizen
• person who holds either EUSS settled status or pre-settled status

Please refer to the Vicar of the church to arrange this.

If one or both parties to the marriage is a foreign national and does not have EUSS settled or pre-settled status, please email [email protected] to book a notice appointment.

Not your usual place of worship

If you are marrying in an Anglican (Church of England and Wales) church and it isn't your usual place of worship, you need a signed letter from the church to confirm they are happy to marry you.

Immigration control

If you are subject to immigration control and you are marrying in an Anglican church, you need to have a signed letter from the church to confirm that, if you were not subject to immigration control, you would be allowed to marry by banns.

Non-Anglican Churches (Non-Church of England and Wales)

Notice

If you plan to marry in another place of worship in North Northamptonshire, email [email protected] to make a notice appointment.

Outside of North Northamptonshire

If outside North Northamptonshire, you can only get married there if it's you or your partner's usual place of worship. Email us to book your appointment.

Even if there's a place of worship of the same denomination in North Northamptonshire, you can still get married in your usual place of worship if it's outside the area.