Registering a premises for wedding and civil partnership

You must be the proprietor or a trustee of the premises to apply for permission to hold civil ceremonies or weddings.

The application must be in writing and include:

• the name and address of the applicant
• such other information as the local authority requires
• a plan of the premises which clearly identifies the room or rooms in which the proceedings will occur.

A fee will be payable. 

Your premises will be inspected.

Your application and plan will be made available to the public for inspection and public notice of the application put in a local newspaper as part of a public consultation process.

To be granted your application must be in the correct format and your premises deemed suitable.

Conditions may be imposed to your approval.

The Registrar General may issue guidance to local authorities to assist them in making their decision. 

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact it. 

Please contact your local authority in the first instance.

You have the right to seek a review of the local authority's refusal to grant your application.

You must deliver your request for review to the proper officer of the local authority, accompanied by any requested fee. 

Please contact your local authority in the first instance.

You have the right to seek a review of the local authority's imposition of conditions, refusal to renew or revocation of approval.

You must deliver your request for review to the proper officer of the local authority, accompanied by any requested fee. 

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Citizens Advice will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre. 

If you object to an application for premises approval you may give notice to the local authority within 21 days of the notice of application appearing in the local newspaper. Current applications are attached below.