Coronavirus (COVID-19) marriage/ civil partnership ceremony restrictions from 1 October 2020
Be aware that your marriage/ civil partnership ceremony must be conducted under the current NI Executive restrictions.
Private dwellings
No mixing of households is allowed at a private dwelling, therefore it will not be possible for a ceremony to be held indoors as the registrar would not be allowed to enter the premises.
Outdoor gatherings at a private dwelling (including the garden of the dwelling) is restricted to six people from two different households. Children aged 12 and under from those two households are not counted in this total.
If all other participants at the ceremony are not from the same household, the ceremony cannot proceed, as the registrar can be the only person from a separate household.
If one of the parties is terminally ill
A marriage or civil partnership can take place in a person’s home if one of the parties is terminally ill, with six people in attendance (this includes the couple, two witnesses and the officiant).
Non-private locations
Indoor gatherings in a non-private location (for example a hotel, religious location, registration office) can go ahead.
The number attending must be discussed and agreed with the venue, which will determine attendance based on the size of the venue and the ability to socially distance.
Outdoor gatherings in non-private dwelling locations can go ahead.
The NI Executive has stated that certain events can have more than 15 people attending, including marriage and civil partnership ceremonies, as long as a risk assessment is carried out.
The number attending must be discussed and agreed with the venue, which will determine attendance based on the size of the venue and the ability to socially distance.
The exception to this is the Derry City and Strabane District Council area, where outdoor gatherings in non-private dwelling locations can go ahead with up to a maximum of 15 people, even with a risk assessment.
Making arrangements
Before you can give notice of your marriage you must decide when and where you want the ceremony to take place.
Registrar
If you choose a registrar to conduct your ceremony, remember to make early arrangements with them.
This is important as certain times of the year are very popular and your choice of approved venue may have limited availability.
Humanist
If you have chosen a Humanist celebrant, they must fill out a celebrant application form and be approved to conduct your ceremony before completing your marriage notice forms.
Humanist celebrants operate independently and are not employees of a district council. Remember to make early arrangements with them.
All weddings
You should also arrange for two people, aged 16 or over, to be at your wedding to act as witnesses. This is needed for both religious and civil ceremonies.
You should let the registrar know if you change your plans or decide to postpone your marriage.
Choosing a venue
A civil ceremony can be held in the registrar's office or in an approved place.
You can also apply for a temporary approval for a civil ceremony at a place of your own choice, such as your own home.
You should contact the registrar of the council district in which the ceremony will be registered and they will advise you about the fee and how to apply.
Fees
Registrar
If you are marrying in a civil ceremony conducted by a registrar you can expect to pay the following:
- a fee for giving notice
- a fee for solemnisation of the marriage
- a fee for use of the council office/ room or for the registrar to take part at an approved venue
These fees are payable when you present your notice application.
The fee for giving notice is £22.00 per notice form. You will need a separate form for each person.
The registrar’s fee for the solemnisation of the marriage will depend on when the marriage is due to take place (see table).
| Time | cost |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm | £36.00 |
| Monday to Friday, 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm | £162.00 |
| Saturday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm | £162.00 |
| Saturday after 5.00 pm, Sunday and bank holidays | £216.00 |
If you choose to marry at a registrar’s office you will pay a fee, depending on when the marriage is due to take place and the marriage room you choose.
If you choose to marry at an approved venue, you will need to pay a fee for the registrar to take part.
You’ll need to speak to the relevant council to find out details of the above fees. The solemnisation fee is usually included in the amount charged.
Humanist
If you are marrying in a civil ceremony conducted by a Humanist celebrant you will pay the £22.00 fee each for giving notice. You will need a separate notice form for each person.
The celebrant will charge for planning and conducting the wedding ceremony.
Giving notice
You can find out more about giving notice, including how and when to send in your marriage notice application form, at this link:
When the registrar is content that there is no reason why the marriage can’t take place, a marriage schedule will be prepared from the information you have given in the marriage notice form.
No marriage can go ahead without a marriage schedule.
Marriage schedule - registrar
The registrar will make sure that the marriage schedule is available at the marriage ceremony for signature.
The marriage ceremony may only be conducted by a registrar or deputy registrar who has been authorised by the Registrar General.
While nothing of a religious nature may be included in the ceremony, music, poetry, exchange of rings and flower arrangements may be included and should be discussed with the registrar.
It's important that the marriage ceremony should start on time, as more than one marriage may be planned on that day.
The groom, best man (and ushers, if needed) should arrive at the venue for the marriage at least 20 minutes before the ceremony. The bride and bridesmaids should arrive at least 10 minutes before.
The registrar will welcome everyone before the bride enters and give instructions about video recording and photography during the ceremony. The ceremony will last for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Marriage schedule – Humanist
The marriage schedule will be issued to either the future bride or groom by the registrar.
The schedule can’t be issued more than 14 days before the marriage and the registrar will advise you when the marriage schedule can be collected.
The schedule cannot be collected on your behalf by a relative or friend - the registrar will issue it only to the future bride or bridegroom, who will have to sign for it.
The marriage schedule must be produced before the marriage ceremony to the person performing the marriage.
Immediately after the ceremony, the schedule must be signed by the bride and groom, the person performing the marriage and the two witnesses. The bride should sign in her maiden name.
Registering your marriage
Registrar
If a registrar conducted the ceremony, they will provide a marriage certificate and register the marriage after the ceremony.
Humanist
If a Humanist celebrant conducted the ceremony, you will not get your marriage certificate immediately after the ceremony.
A marriage certificate may be ordered after the schedule has been returned to the registrar and the marriage registered.
You can find out how to order a marriage certificate at this link: