How to arrange for a civil marriage
By law you have to give a notice of marriage, which is a formal declaration of your intention to marry. Each person is legally responsible for giving his/her notice of marriage, in person, to the Superintendent Registrar of the district in which they have resided, for at least 7 days, prior to giving notice. It is not possible for one party to give both notices. There is a standard fee for this. The law provides for marriage to take place in any district and on any day of the week.
How much notice do we need to give?
The maximum period of notice would be 12 months.
The minimum period of notice would be 16 days.
How do we arrange to give a notice of marriage and what do we need to produce?
Telephone or call in at the office for an appointment to give notice of marriage. You will be required to bring with you:
- The current fee (the office will advise you what this is);
- A current passport or birth certificate;
- If you are divorced we will require proof of your divorce (the stamped decree absolute);
- If you are a widow or widower we will need to see a certified copy of your former spouse's death certificate;
- If you have changed your name by deed poll or statutory declaration we will need to see those documents;
- A document stating your current address.
Please telephone for an appointment to give your notice of marriage 0161 253 6026.
Copy marriage certificates
Bury Register Office holds the records for marriages within Bury District from 1837 to date.
A certified copy may be obtained by writing to the Register Office or calling in personally. There is a fee for each certificate issued, cheques and postal orders are made payable to Bury MBC. Please telephone 0161 253 6026 for information on current fees.
PLEASE NOTE THAT FROM 1ST APRIL 2008 IF YOU REQUIRE A CERTIFICATE THE SAME DAY APPLICANTS MUST USE OUR PRIORITY SERVICE. THE FEE FOR THIS IS £15.00 WHICH INCLUDES THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE.
To obtain a marriage certificate you will need to provide us with the following information:
- Date of marriage,
- Place of marriage,
- Full names of parties at time of marriage,
- Father's names if known.
If you cannot provide some of the above information then please contact the General Register Office in Southport - Telephone: 0845 603 7788
Applying on-line
You can apply for a marriage certificate on-line. To do so you will need to fill in the on-line form, then print it off, sign it and send it to us, together with your payment and any other documentation requested. The details you supply on-line will be held until we receive your signed copy.
Marriage Certificate Application.
View our online ceremonies brochure.
Our staff here in Bury Register Office will be pleased to advise you on any of the above. Telephone 0161 253 6026.
