Marriages, civil partnerships and celebratory services

Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 came into force on 27 February 2023. This means to get married or form a civil partnership in England and Wales you must be aged 18 or over. You are able to give notice of marriage if you are aged 17 providing you turn 18 within 28 days of giving your notice.

Registration of Marriage applicable from 4 May 2021

After your ceremony, you'll sign a marriage schedule. This is a one-page document which contains all the required information to enable your marriage to be registered in the electronic register.  Your marriage certificate will then be posted out to you.

If you're getting married in the Church of England

View or download guidance for Church of England (Word)

If you're getting married in a civil or other religious building

View or download guidance for civil or other religious buildings (Word)

How to get a marriage certificate

You'll need to request your certificate, separately, after you've married.

What you need to do before your ceremony

Before your marriage or civil partnership ceremony, you will need to:

View and download information about getting married in Central Bedfordshire.

View and download information about forming a Civil Partnership In Central Bedfordshire.