Can I get married in England and Wales?
Yes, with conditions — and you need to plan ahead, because of the 28-day notice period. The basis is the Marriage Act 1949. Both parties must be 18 or over (since 27 February 2023, 16–17-year-olds can no longer marry, even with consent). You must give notice in person at your local register office after 7 days' residence, then wait a 28-day notice period; the notice is valid for 12 months, within which the marriage must take place. Neither party can already be married or in a civil partnership, or within the prohibited degrees of relationship. A civil ceremony takes place at a register office or approved premises, with free consent and two witnesses. For people subject to immigration control, the notice period can extend to 70 days. In short: yes, but allow at least four weeks.
📋 The rules
- Both parties must be 18 or over (since Feb 2023)
- Give notice in person after 7 days' residence
- Wait a 28-day notice period
- Notice valid 12 months — marry within it
- Civil ceremony with two witnesses and free consent
🔓 Exceptions
- Non-settled nationals under immigration control: notice up to 70 days
- Outdoor civil ceremonies at approved premises are now permanent
- Scotland and NI differ — minimum age there is still 16
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no "fine," but there are costs and timing. Giving notice is £35 per person (£47 if subject to immigration control), a register-office ceremony is roughly £46–£57+, and a marriage certificate is £11. A sham marriage — one entered into to gain an immigration advantage — is a criminal offence carrying up to 14 years. Beware a myth: "we can get married next week" is false — the 28-day notice period (up to 70 days in some immigration cases) means the soonest is about four weeks. (Marriage is devolved, so Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules, including a minimum age of 16.) To get married: book and give notice in person at your register office, allow the 28 days, and hold the ceremony within 12 months.
📎 Official sources
- GOV.UK — marriages and civil partnerships →
- GOV.UK — giving notice of marriage →
- Minimum Age Act 2022 →
❓ Frequently asked
How quickly can I get married?
Not as quickly as many expect. You must give notice in person at your local register office and then wait a 28-day notice period before the marriage can take place. So the soonest you can usually marry is around four weeks. For people subject to immigration control, the notice period can be extended to 70 days.
How old do you have to be to marry?
Since 27 February 2023, both parties must be at least 18 to marry in England and Wales. The previous option for 16 and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent was abolished, to help tackle forced marriage. Note that Scotland and Northern Ireland still allow marriage from age 16, as marriage law is devolved.
What is giving notice?
Giving notice is a legal step where each of you attends your local register office in person, after living in the district for at least seven days, to declare your intention to marry. Your details are recorded and, after a 28-day waiting period, you're authorised to marry. The notice remains valid for 12 months.
How much does it cost to get married?
Giving notice costs £35 per person, or £47 each if you're subject to immigration control. A simple ceremony at the register office typically costs from around £46 to £57 or more, and a marriage certificate is £11. Ceremonies at approved premises, such as hotels, usually cost more, set by the venue.
Can I get married outdoors?
Yes. Outdoor civil ceremonies at approved premises have been made a permanent option in England and Wales, so you can marry in the grounds of a licensed venue, such as a hotel garden, as well as indoors. The venue must be approved by the local authority, and the legal requirements, including notice, still apply.
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