Annex D - Guidance for those who wish to marry on Approved Premises

5.2 As soon as a couple have made provisional arrangements for their marriage on Approved Premises, they should be advised to contact the superintendent registrar for the district in which the premises are situated. This contact information should be available on the individual authority’s website.

5.3 Without the presence of this superintendent registrar and a registrar there can be no marriage and any arrangements for the use of the premises depend entirely on their availability. It is, therefore, essential that the couple make an advance booking with this superintendent registrar for their attendance at their proposed marriage as soon as a booking can be accepted.

5.4 Where a couple proposes to marry in the linked outdoor areas of the premises, the proposed location for the proceedings should be discussed in advance with the Approved Premises. The superintendent registrar must agree prior to the proceedings that the location where the proceedings take place is seemly and dignified.

5.5 The couple must give a notice of marriage to the superintendent registrar(s) of the district(s) in which they live. This notice must be given in person by each of the couple and is valid for twelve months. The couple should attend the register office(s) where they live as soon as notice can be given. There is a twenty-eight day waiting period after notice has been given before the marriage can take place.

5.6 If either party is subject to immigration control, there are additional procedures as part of the notice of marriage process which may result in the extension of the twenty-eight days mentioned above to seventy days. The local superintendent registrar can advise further on these procedures.

5.7 The couple should be warned that any arrangements made for a marriage to take place on the Approved Premises are dependent on: a) the attendance of the superintendent registrar and a registrar for the district in which the premises are situated;and, b) the issue of the marriage schedule by the superintendent registrar for the registration district where the premise is situated.

5.8 The marriage schedule will be retained by the superintendent registrar and it will be brought to the venue on the day of the event.

5.9 The couple should be advised that only a civil, non-religious ceremony can be permitted by the superintendent registrar. The content of the ceremony must be agreed in advance with the superintendent registrar who will be attending the ceremony. The superintendent registrar must also provide prior agreement that the location at which the proceedings are to be held are seemly and dignified.

5.10 Any rights of copyright for music, readings etc. permitted at the ceremony are a matter for the  couple and the holder of the approval.