You can get married in either a civil or religious ceremony in England or Wales. Marriage ceremonies can only take place in authorized venues such as a church or chapel and at a registrar office. The presence of an authorized person such as a superintendent registrar or Vicar or priest is required at the marriage ceremony. In addition, at least two witnesses need to be present to sign the marriage register. Marriage ceremonies must take place between the hours of 8am to 6pm.

CIVIL CEREMONY

In order to get married in a civil ceremony, you must first contact the superintendent registrar in the registration district in which you have fulfilled the residency requirements and "give notice." Giving notice declares your intent to marry and officially begins the civil marriage proceedings. There are three (3) ways in which you can give notice, all of which are briefly described below.

Marriage By Certificate without License
(Getting Married By Certificate)
Getting married by certificate is the most common method in which to marry. Prior to giving notice to the superintendant registrar, both of you must have been residents in the registration district for a period of seven (7) days. Your notice will then be entered into the official notice book.

You then have to wait 21 more days before the registrar will issue you a certificate of authority which then allows you to get married.

Marriage By Certificate with License
(Getting Married By License)
Getting married by license is the quicker yet more expensive method in which to marry. At least one of you must claim residency in the registration district for at least fifteen (15) days prior to giving notice. On the sixteenth day, you give notice to the registrar on your intent to marry. Your partner must reside anywhere (does not have to be in the registration district) in England or Wales on the day you give notice. Your notice will then be entered into the official notice book.

After only one full day of giving notice, the registrar will issue you a certificate of authority which then allows you to get married.

Marriage By Registrar General's License
The Registrar General's license is made available to parties where one partner cannot be present at the location at which a marriage ceremony can legally take place. Individuals who are seriously ill or who are house-bound qualify for this type of license. Note that there is no residency requirement with this type of license.

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Note added at 5 hrs (2013-05-06 19:17:23 GMT)
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SOURCE:

http://www.blissweddings.com/articles/art034.asp