Registration of Marriages

Bedfordshire Registration Service is responsible for recording all marriages that occur in Bedfordshire (excluding Luton).

If you wish to be married in the Church of England you should contact the vicar. If he or she is able to marry you arrangements will be made for banns to be called on three Sundays before the day of your ceremony or for a common licence to be issued and there is generally no need to involve the Superintendent Registrar. If you are getting married in any other church or religious building you will need to give a Notice of marriage to the Superintendent Registrar of the district where you live.

Notice of your intention to marry must be given by both partners and both must have resided in a Registration District for at least seven days. If you live in different Registration Districts then each of you will need to give Notice in your own area.

Notices of marriage are legal documents and are valid for one year. Fifteen clear days must pass after giving Notice before the Superintendent Registrar's authority can be issued and you are able to marry.

After a wedding ceremony has taken place, two witnesses, who must be over the age of 18 and able to understand the marriage ceremony, will be called on to sign the register, after the newly wedded couple have both signed their names. Registration Service staff then sign the marriage certificate.

Civil Weddings

Civil (or non-religious) weddings can take place in specially licensed hotels, restaurants, banqueting suites, stately homes and other historic buildings.

When you have chosen where you want to hold your ceremony you must check its availability, then confirm with the Superintendent Registrar that Registration Officers will be available on that day and at that time to perform the ceremony. Please note that it is essential that you agree the date and time with the Superintendent Registrar and the venue before making any other arrangements.

Couples marrying at a venue still have to give Notice in the district, or districts where they live. When the marriage authority/authorities are issued, you must deliver it/them immediately to the Register Office in the district where you are getting married.

Contact

For more information about giving notice of a marriage, civil weddings or for a list of approved venues in Bedfordshire, please visit the Bedfordshire County Council website or contact the Registration Service using the contact details below.

Bedfordshire Register Office,
Pilgrim House,
20 Brickhill Drive,
Bedford MK41 7PZ

Telephone: 01234 290450
Email:lifeevents@bedscc.gov.uk