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What is a civil wedding? 

Gone are the days when a civil wedding meant a quick and simple ceremony in front of an office desk.
 
These days, you can have almost any kind of wedding, from a simple “I do” in a Registration Service Ceremony Room with a couple of friends as witnesses, to a more grand affair at an approved venue, with bridesmaids, readings and music: the works! 

Nearly anything goes but be aware that civil ceremonies must not include any religious content. 

There will be two Registrars at your wedding; one to conduct the ceremony and the other to register your marriage. All ceremonies are held in English. If either partner is unable to speak or understand English, an interpreter must be present.  You can discuss this with the Registrar who takes your Notice of Marriage so that you can make appropriate arrangements.

The only other requirement on the day is that you have two witnesses present. There is a huge variety of places in which to have a civil wedding in Oxfordshire. 

Your options are as follows:

1. Registration office weddings. 
 

There are eight ceremony 
rooms across the county, in 
Abingdon, Banbury, Bister, 
Didcot, Henley-on-Thames, 
Oxford,Wantage and Witney. 
They all vary in style, size and 
appearance, from the more 
traditional rooms, such as 
Oxford’s wood panelled Dexter 
Room and Banbury’s Bodicote 
House to the purpose-built 
modern Broadway Room in 
Didcot. 

The Register Office for 
Oxfordshire is situated in the 
heart of Oxford city centre 
and its helpdesk is pleased to 
answer questions on arranging 
a wedding in any of the rooms 
in the county. 

Telephone 0845 1 2 9 5 9 0 0. for further information on 
the rooms, their capacity for 
guests and to discuss any special 
requirements you or your guests 
may have, such as provision for 
people with disabilities. 


2.  Approved venues 
Instead of having your wedding 
in a Registration Office, you 
could opt to hold it in one of 
the many diverse approved 
venues throughout Oxfordshire, 
from an old Cotswold hotel or 
a cosmopolitan city centre 
restaurant to an Oxford College. 
The only difficulty will be making 
your decision! 
Once you have settled on the 
venue for your marriage and 
made a provisional booking, you 
will need to get in touch with 
the helpdesk on 0845 1 2 9 5 9 0 0. 
to ask if Registrars will be 
available on the day and at the 
time you want. It is essential 
that you do this before making 
any other arrangements. 
Registrars are happy to attend 
marriages at approved venues 
on any day, including Sundays 
and Bank Holidays, between the 
hours of 8am to 6pm, 
as the law requires. For this 
reason, we recommend that 
you book your wedding no 
later than 5pm to allow for 
any unforeseen delays. Bookings 
can be made up to 24 months 
before your actual wedding day. 


Notice of Marriage. 


After booking your wedding at a 
registration office or an approved 
venue, both of you will need to 
give your Notices of Marriage. 


Marriage in the Church of England. 


If you would like to marry in your 
local parish church, you will need 
to contact the vicar.  If they are 
able to marry you, they will call 
the banns three consecutive 
Sundays before the ceremony 
or arrange for a common licence 
to be issued. Normally, there is 
no need to involve the 
Superintendent Registrar. 


Marriage in any other church or religious building 


Many religious buildings and 
churches can be used for 
marriages; please speak to the 
minister to discuss things further. 
Normally, you or your partner 
must live within their district, 
although some exceptions may 
apply.  The minister will not be able 
to call banns and, therefore, you 
will need to give Notice of 
Marriage in the district in which 
you live. Some churches require 
the attendance of a Registrar at 
the wedding ceremony; please ask 
your minister if this is the case. 
If so, please contact our helpdesk 
as soon as possible on 0845 1 2 9 5 9 0 0. to avoid disappointment. 


Marriage abroad.

 
Tying the knot abroad is becoming 
an increasingly popular option. 
If you are thinking of doing this, 
please contact the appropriate 
country’s embassy in England for 
advice on the formalities and 
documentation required. 

Insurance. 

If, for whatever reason, you need 
to change your plans, it could be 
extremely expensive.  Therefore, it 
makes sense to take out insurance 
against this possibility.

 
Everything you need to know.


Holding a civil wedding ceremony is not a complicated 
affair but there are a few things you will need to do 
before the day to ensure your wedding preparations go 
as smoothly as possible.


Legal Preliminaries.

 
Notice of Marriage.

 
You will need to give notice of marriage in your local 
registration district. If you and your partner live in 
different areas you will both need to give notice in your 
own district. A minimum of seven days residency is 
required (immediately before you give your notice). 
Normally 15 clear days notice is required: for example, if you give 
notice on 1 May the ceremony can take place 
on or after 17 May. 
If you live in Oxfordshire then please ring 0 8 4 5 1 2 9 5 9 0 0. to make an appointment or book online at 
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/community and living: 
A non refundable statutory fee of £30 is payable for 
each notice given. 
If you do not speak English an interpreter will be needed 
to give notice of marriage and for the ceremony.

 
Documents.

 
The Registrar will want to see your passport as the 
primary proof of ID. If you do not hold a passport then 
the following alternatives are acceptable:
 
1. National identity card/official travel document or
 If you are a UK citizen:- 
UK photo driving licence, A full birth 
certificate, Medical card.

2. Evidence of Change of Name:- 
Deed poll document. 
Statutory declaration.
 
3. Consent Form if under 18 years of age 

4. Proof of address. 
Council tax bill or 
Utility Bill/Bank statement or 
A letter signed by someone able to confirm 
your residence. 
Previous marriage/civil partnerships 
Decree Absolute/Annulment or 
A dissolution certificate or 
Death certificate. 
Please note that original or certified copies 
of documents are needed. Photocopies are 
not acceptable. 

Foreign Nationals 

If you are subject to immigration control and wish 
to marry in the UK you must either: 
Have a marriage or feeonsaye visa, 
Have a Home Office Certificate of Approval. 
Have settled status in the UK. 
You will both be required to attend one of the 
designated register offices in England and Wales 
(including Oxford). 

Authorities for Marriages. 

Please note that for the marriage to proceed it is your 
responsibility to ensure that the legal preliminaries are 
completed and that the authorities for marriages are 
given to the Registrar. 
Witnesses. 
You will need two witnesses who can be friends or 
family.  They must be able to understand the ceremony 
and sign the register.  As a guide they should be over 
16 years of age. 
