The Legal Contract

Each of the religions and cultures identified has their own types of legal contract.  The legal contract has to be fulfilled for the marriage to be considered valid.  In the U.K. all couples, (who are not married in a Church of England) have to say the same legal wording as a Civil Ceremony to be considered married.

You may need to contact your local church, synagogue, mosque, registrar or temple to find out what these are for your own religious beliefs.

To be legally married in the UK and as a British citizen regardless of race or religion, the following requirements must be fulfilled. You and your partner must be at least 16 years old. (In England and Wales, if either party is under 18, written consent to the marriage must be obtained from the parent or a legal guardian).

You must not be closely related.

The marriage must take place in approved premises that hold a licence which is issued by the Local Authority. Churches, Temples etc can apply to the GRO (General Register Office) to be 'registered to hold marriage ceremonies' can receive a unique number on the 'Official List'. Jews can get married anywhere, the venue for their ceremony does not have to be licensed or registered. There are exceptions for military marriages and for those who are detained or housebound.

There is also an exception for a couple where one party to the marriage is terminally ill who can marry by a 'Registrar General's Licence'. The ceremony must take place in the presence of a Superintendent Registrar, a Registrar or an authorized person.  You must have the venue identified.

 In the Church of England marriage “banns” are read as opposed to notice being given.

In England and Wales, the ceremony must take place between 8am and 6pm (except for the Jews and the Society of Friends.)  In Scotland– you can marry at any time.

Two witnesses must be present to witness the ceremony.

You must both be free and eligible to marry.

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