How to Get Married in Northern Ireland

Applications and/or Documents Required: Bring along original copies of the following (and be sure pack these in your hand luggage, never in your checked bags):

Passport and/or birth certificate

If previously married, a certified copy of the final divorce decree, or death certificate if marriage ended due to death of spouse.

If you are divorced and you have kept your married name, be prepared to show your previous marriage certificate.

If any of these documents is in a language other than English, a certified translation in English must also be provided.

Each party is required to complete a marriage notice form. If you are having a religious ceremony, the officiant is required to fill out part of the form as well.

Both parties must submit their completed marriage notice forms, relevant documents, declarations and fees to the Registrar of Marriages in the District where the marriage is to take place, to inform the Registrar of their intention to marry.

Notices should be given to the Registrar about eight weeks before the marriage but if either of you have been married before, the notices should be with the Registrar ten weeks beforehand.

When the Registrar is satisfied there is no legal impediment to the marriage, a marriage schedule will be prepared from the information which the parties have supplied. The schedule is a very important document - no marriage can proceed without it.

Religious Ceremony

The marriage schedule will be issued to either party by the Registrar.

• The schedule cannot be issued more than fourteen days before the marriage and the Registrar will advise you when the marriage schedule can be collected.
  
• The schedule cannot be collected on your behalf by a relative or friend – the Registrar will issue it only to the prospective bride or bridegroom who will have to sign for it.
  
• The marriage schedule must be produced before the marriage ceremony to the person performing the marriage.
  
• Immediately after the ceremony the schedule must be signed by both parties, by the person performing the marriage and by the two witnesses. (The bride should sign in her maiden name). The schedule must be returned to the Registrar so that the marriage can be registered.
  

Note: The marriage schedule should be returned to the Registrar within 3 days from the date of marriage. It may be returned in person or by post.

Civil Ceremony

The Registrar will ensure that the marriage schedule is available at the marriage ceremony for signature. The Registrar will then register the marriage.
Note: If you do not return the marriage schedule you will be unable to obtain a certified copy of your marriage.

Residency Requirements: none

Blood Test: none

For more information, see the General Register Office of Northern Ireland website at http://www.groni.gov.uk/index.htm.

~ by Liz Stiglets

Related Pages:

• wedding regulations in other destinations

Note: Lovetripper.com provides the above information for guidance purposes only. Couples should verify all information with the consulate from their respective countries and with the local offices before making any plans.