a. Marriages in England and Wales

Each of the couple intending to marry must give notice of the intended marriage, in person, to the superintendent registrar of their district of residence, and has resided for the period required by law, accompanied by the documentary evidence required. Marriages may take place in areas other than those in which the certificates were issued. A statutory fee is payable by each person at the time of giving notice. After the expiration of the period required by law the superintendent registrar will issue a marriage schedule. The schedule is valid for a fixed period. After expiry, the application must start afresh.

If one of the couple resides outside England and Wales, the local superintendent registrar should be consulted for the procedures to be followed; these may take much longer.

If either of the couple is not in membership, a certificate (form D) (see 16.29) in respect of each one must be produced at the time when such notice is given.

b. Marriages in Scotland

Each of the couple intending to marry shall submit to the district registrar a ‘marriage notice’ accompanied by the prescribed fee and the documentary evidence required. There is no residency requirement. Marriages must take place within the area of the district registrar issuing the marriage schedule.

If one of the couple resides outwith Scotland, the district registrar should be consulted for the procedures to be followed; these may take much longer.

Following the submission of the marriage notice, the district registrar will normally be able to issue a marriage schedule after the elapse of the period required by law. Provision is made for an early issue of a marriage schedule subject to the completion of certain formalities and the approval of the Registrar General (16.36).

c. Isle of Man and Channel Islands marriages

It should be noted that the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have their own marriage and civil partnership laws. If a marriage is desired to take place in those jurisdictions, then the registering officer should work with the Recording Clerk to determine how best to comply with the legislation and our Quaker requirements.