Weddings in Hertfordshire

1. Choose your venue

You have several options of where to get married.

• At one of our lovely register offices – there are 8 register offices across the county, each with its own unique style and character. 
• At one of our stunning approved wedding venues – we're delighted to offer over 100 stunning wedding venues across the county. 
• Anywhere ceremonies – if you want to celebrate your ceremony somewhere special but that isn’t a licensed venue, we can help. We can arrange a small legal ceremony at one of our Register offices and then officiate at the celebratory ceremony at the location of your choice. 
• Evening ceremonies – there are no restrictions on the time of day you can get married so we can offer times later in the day at our approved venues.
• You and two ceremonies – ideal if you'd prefer an intimate and simple ceremony. These ceremonies are available at restricted times in 4 of our register offices. The ceremony is limited to the couple and 2 witnesses.

2. Book your venue and registrars

Once you've decided on your venue and date, call 0300 123 4045 to book the date, time and place.

If you've chosen an approved venue, provisionally book with them first before contacting us to book the registrar.

We'll send you a provisional booking letter advising when you must give notice of marriage (your legal notice of intention).

3. Give notice of marriage

Before you can register your marriage, you must both give your legal notice of intention.

You'll need to give notice of your marriage in your local registration district. You must have lived in that district for a minimum of 7 clear days and nights i.e. nine days immediately before the day you give your notice.

If you and your partner live in different areas, you'll both need to give notice in your own district (unless one or both of you is subject to immigration control).

Notice can be given up to 12 months before your wedding and no less than 28 days before.

Notices cost £42 each, or £57 if one or both parties are subject to the Home Office referral and investigation scheme. If one or both parties are subject to the Home Office referral and investigation scheme, the waiting period can be extended to 70 days by the Home Office to allow time for any investigations.

4. Pay

A marriage certificate costs £12.50.

You must already be legally married before your 'anywhere ceremony'.

The fee for the legal ceremony is £56 and can take place at any Hertfordshire register office.

A small statutory ceremony is available at Hatfield Register Office at 9.30am on Tuesdays. The statutory fee for this ceremony is £56.

5. Choose your ceremony content

If you're getting married at the weekend or at one of our approved venues, we'll be pleased to help you plan your ceremony. We can arrange a meeting with you 1 month before the big day when you can tell us all your choices. This can be by phone, video call or in person. 

For weekday weddings in one of our register offices, you'll get a planning sheet to complete informing us of your choices.

Religious weddings

If you want to be married in the Church of England or the Church of Wales you'll need to contact the vicar. They'll arrange for the Banns to be called or for a common licence to be issued. These marriages will always be registered by the vicar.

If you want marry in a church or another religious building of any other religious denomination, you'll need to give a Notice of Marriage to the registrar in the district where you live.

Getting married abroad

If you want to get married abroad, you need to follow the regulations of that country. Getting married abroad (GOV.UK)

In some cases, British citizens may be asked to provide a Certificate of No Impediment. To obtain a Certificate of No Impediment, you must book an appointment to give notice at your local register office. This is only possible for British citizens.

Contact details

Email registrars.admin@hertfordshire.gov.uk or call us on 0300 123 4045 for more information on our venues and registrars or to answer your questions.

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Top image: Lily Lane Photography

Second image: Vanessa Sterling Photography