The legal requirements It is a legal requirement for all couples to serve their notice of marriage/ civil partnership in person in the registration district they reside. You can attend your appointment together, but you will each have to serve a separate notice. If you live in different districts, then you must give notice in your own district, unless you are subject to immigration control. The minimum legal requirement to give notice of marriage/civil partnership is 28 days. The marriage or civil partnership schedule can be issued on the 29 th day after giving notice and is valid for 12 months; however, if you are subject to immigration control the waiting period may be extended to 70 days. You may serve notice up to one year in advance of your ceremony/partnership. We advise couples to try and serve at least three months ahead of their ceremony/partnership.
For your appointment you will need to provide original documents to prove your name, nationality, age, address, marital/partnership status.
There is a statutory fee payable, £42 or £57, depending on your immigration status.
Documents required for Serving Notice.
For your appointment you will need to provide evidence of your:
• Full name • Nationality • Age • Status if previously married or have been in a civil partnership • Evidence of any change of name You will find a full list of acceptable documents on our website, or a member of our team can advise you which documents are required depending on your own personal circumstance. Please be aware the original documents are always required, photocopies are not acceptable. Foreign Nationals If you are an EU citizen and have Settled or Pre-Settled status, you will need to apply for a Share Code from GOV.UK . If you have Pre-settled status and your application was made after 30/06/2021, or you do not hold the relevant visa for the purpose of marriage in this country then you will be subject to the immigration referral scheme and referred to the Home Office. The usual 28-day waiting period may be extended to 70 days. Contact us: Bournemouth or Christchurch: b-c.ceremonies@bcpcouncil.gov.uk Poole: poole.ceremonies@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Photography by Emma Rolfe
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