Legal requirements for civil ceremonies

What is a civil ceremony?

A civil ceremony is a legal marriage ceremony without religious elements. Therefore, they are conducted by a registrar, rather than a priest, imam, or rabbi etc. There must also be at least two witnesses present, who understand the language the ceremony is being conducted in and understand what’s happening.

Where can you have a civil wedding ceremony?

The ceremony can take place at a Register Office or other approved premises.

Marriage declaration and vows

The parties marrying must declare that they are not aware of any legal reason why they cannot marry and then exchange marriage vows.

Both the declaratory words and vows may take various forms, and parties can choose from the following options:

Legal marriage declaration options:

1. “I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I (full names) may not be joined in matrimony to (full names).”
2. “I declare that I know of no legal reason why I (your full legal name) may not be joined in marriage to (your partner’s full legal name).”
3. Replying "I am" to the question “Are you (your full legal name) free lawfully to marry (your partner’s full legal name)?"

Contracting marriage vows options:

1.  “I call upon these persons, here present, to witness that I (your full legal name) do take thee (your partner’s full legal name) to be my lawful wedded wife/husband.”
2. “I (your full legal name), take you (your partner’s full legal name) to be my wedded wife/husband.”
3. “I (your full legal name) take thee (your partner’s full legal name) to be my wedded wife/husband.”

The parties may then exchange personal promises to each other if they wish. However, these may not be religious in nature. Similarly, whilst parties may have readings, songs or music at the ceremony, they may not be religious either.

Registering the marriage

After the ceremony, the marriage schedule must then be signed by both parties and the registrar. At least two witnesses must also sign the schedule.

Once the marriage schedule has been signed, the registrar must return it to the Register Office within 21 days. The details from this will then be used to add the marriage to the electronic marriage register.

The marriage certificate will then be posted to the partis within 7 working days of the schedule being returned to the Register Office.

If you are considering or going through a divorce and are concerned that your civil ceremony did not meet the required legal formalities to create a valid marriage, contact Vardags today for a free initial consultation with one of our expert divorce solicitors.

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