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If you wish to marry, legally you must declare your freedom to do so. If you are getting married in a Church of England church then normally you would arrange to do this with the Vicar, unless the Vicar specifically asks that you contact your local Register Office. We would need a letter from the Vicar requesting our involvement.
If you are getting married in any other venue - the Register Office, an approved premise, or any other religious building, then you each have to give a notice of marriage at your local Register Office. This can only be done within twelve months of the date of your wedding. You each have to attend in person, normally together but you can attend separately if this will be easier (if you each live in different districts, then you would only attend your own office). Most Register Offices, including our own, work on an appointment system (we can provide the phone numbers, addresses and opening times of any Register Office in England and Wales).
At the time of giving notice we need to see certain documentation. A birth certificate and current passport are preferred, as well as a proof of your current address (eg bank statement, utility bill, rent card). If you have been previously married we need to see evidence of how that marriage ended. This could be a Decree Absolute with an official County Court stamp, or if you are widowed then the death certificate of your late spouse if it was your late husband and you were not the informant, then we would also need your marriage certificate. If you have changed your name other than through marriage or by adoption, it would be helpful to provide any evidence you have, such as a change of name deed (deed poll) or a statutory declaration. We will also require the current fee, which is £30 for each notice.
The notices will be displayed publicly on the following day in the Register Office reception area, and will remain there for 15 days. This gives anyone visiting the Register Office the chance to object if they knew of some legal reason why you shouldn't be able to marry. On the sixteenth day the authorities for the marriage to take place can be issued. If the wedding is outside the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees, or in a religious building, one of you will have to return to collect the authorities and deliver them to the registrar or religious minister conducting your ceremony.
Wedding Pictures
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