Marriage process

Planning to get married or form a civil partnership in Lancashire

Where do you want to hold your ceremony?

Religious ceremony in an approved religious building

  • Church of England – Speak to your Vicar who will advise you how to proceed and arrange to call the Banns of Marriage
  • Any other denomination (not Church of England) – Speak to your Minister who will advise you what steps to take
  • If the Minister advises you that you need a Registrar from Lancashire County Council to attend your ceremony contact the Ceremonies Officer who covers the area where you are holding your ceremony Ceremonies officers - Lancashire County Council
  • or telephone our Contact Centre 0300 123 6705 and ask to book a registrar.

A civil ceremony at a Register Office or approved venue in the Lancashire district

Giving Notice of Marriage

  • Find out what documents you will need to give notice at a Register Office in the area that you have lived for at least 7 days Giving notice of marriage or civil partnership - Lancashire County Council
  • Arrange to give formal notice of your intention to marry at a Register Office in the area that you lived for at least 7 days. This is called ‘Giving Notice’. You can give notice 12 months prior to your ceremony. Book online at Giving notice of marriage or civil partnership - Lancashire County Council
  • Once you have given notice for a civil ceremony – the Ceremonies Officer will get in touch with you to help you plan your ceremony.
  • Foreign nationals (subject to immigration control) will need to telephone to make an appointment on 0300 123 6705 during opening hours, which are Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm. The appointment will be at either Burnley Registration Office, Chorley Registration Office, Ormskirk Registration Office, or Preston Register Office.
  • EEA and Swiss nationals who have EUSS leave (either settled status, pre-settled status, or a pending application for such leave, submitted prior to 1st July 2021) will need to prove their status or pre-settled status by means of a share code You should request the share code no more than 30 days before your notice appointment to provide to the registration officer during your appointment.