Marriage notice
You must give at least 28 days’ notice to get married. If you don't give this in time, you may need to postpone your marriage.
You can give notice up to a year before the date of your marriage. We recommend a period of 10 to 12 weeks notice for a Civil, Religious or Humanist marriage.
Before you can get married, you and your partner will need to complete a marriage notice form and produce other essential documents. You will need a separate form for each person.
Visit nidirect to download the marriage notice form (link opens in new window)
This still applies if you are having a religious or humanist ceremony. The marriage notice forms must be signed by the religious conductor.
How do I give notice?
- The best way is to email all required documents to [email protected]. If you are having a civil ceremony, make sure you have booked your ceremony with the Registrar before submitting notice.
- You can submit notice in person. To book an appointment please call the Derry office on 02871 376520, the Strabane office on 02871381 306
- You can give notice by post. Make sure you use the correct postage for your documents or we may not receive them. You can post your original completed notice forms along with relevant documents, to:
Derry Registrar’s Office, 14 Magazine Street, Derry BT48 6HH
Strabane Registrar’s Office, 47 Derry Rd Strabane Tyrone, BT82 8DY
Don’t post your original passport and birth certificate as we can accept photocopies. However, we will need to see the originals before your ceremony takes place and you can bring these when you collect your schedule.
Once all documents are received a member of the Registry team will contact you to arrange payment.
Documents you will need
These documents must be provided by both you and your partner when returning your marriage notice forms:
- your full (long version) birth or adoption certificate
- your passport or national identity card - the Registrar can advise on alternatives if you do not hold either of these
- a consent form (if you are 16 or 17 years old)
- if you have been married before and the marriage was dissolved, a certificate of divorce or annulment or a certified copy decree (decrees must be absolute or final)
- if you have entered into a civil partnership before, a court order of dissolution for that partnership
- if you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner, the death certificate of your former spouse or civil partner.
If you're a non-EEA citizen, read nidirect's information (link opens in new window) on getting married in Northern Ireland.
Getting married outside of Northern Ireland
If you live in Northern Ireland and want to get married outside of NI, you may need to provide a document showing that you are free to marry.
In this case, you will need to complete a marriage notice application form to apply for a certificate of legal capacity to marry (Certificate of non-impediment).
You must submit your application in the district of your home address and proof of home address is required before the application will be accepted. The usual supporting documents for a marriage application are also required. A fee of £22 per certificate is payable on submission of the application.
When the marriage notice form has been submitted, the certificate of legal capacity to marry will be issued after at least 28 days have passed.
For more information on getting married outside of Northern Ireland (link opens in new window), visit nidirect’s website
Collection of your Marriage Schedule
The Marriage Schedule must be collected by either party in person from the Registry Office no earlier than 14 days before the Marriage.
Solemnisation of your Marriage
An Officiant can only solemnise a Marriage when he or she is in receipt of a Marriage Schedule. Immediately after the Ceremony, the Marriage Schedule must be signed by both parties, two witnesses (over 16 years of age) and the Officiant.
Returning the Marriage Schedule
Please arrange to return the Marriage Schedule to the Registry Office within 3 working days.
Registration of your Marriage
Registration staff will register your Marriage and then issue your Marriage Certificate. Additional copies are £8 each.