Give notice

Before you can get married or have a civil partnership, you and your partner must give notice at a register office. This must happen at least 29 days before your ceremony.

We are busy taking notices at present. Please book your appointment at least 3 months before the date of your ceremony.

We do not have any appointments for the next 2 months. 

When to give notice

Giving notice involves attending an appointment at a register office where you will declare:

  • who you intend to marry or form a civil partnership with
  • where the ceremony will take place
  • that you are legally free to get married or form a civil partnership

You need to give notice at least 29 days before your ceremony. Please book your notice appointment with us as far in advance as possible (up to 12 months) to ensure the date is available.

If you or your partner is from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland

You may need to wait up to 70 days before your ceremony.

Where to give notice

You must make an appointment to give notice in person, at Croydon Register Office.

You must have lived in the district covered by that register office for at least the previous 7 days. 

If you and your partner live in different registration districts, you must each give notice separately, in the registration district you live in.

If you’re planning a Church of England wedding

Contact the church where you plan to have your ceremony to check what you must do to give notice.

Getting married abroad

Marriage laws and requirements vary by country. You must contact the local authorities in the country where you want to get married to find out what you need to do. 

Find out more at Getting married or registering a civil partnership abroad on GOV.UK.

Certificate of no impediment

Some countries ask for a certificate of no impediment (CNI) to prove you are free to marry or register a civil partnership. 

You can get a CNI by booking an appointment to give notice.

You must be British to get a CNI. If you are British and your partner is a foreign national, you must only book an appointment for yourself.