New law regarding marriages, applicable from 4 May 2021
From 4 May, you'll no longer sign a register or be given a certificate on the day, when getting married. Instead, 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.
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.
Coronavirus
Until further notice, our registration service will not be holding any marriage ceremonies or formations of civil partnership at any of our approved venues. This includes our own venues at The Court House, Ampthill and the Limes, Biggleswade.
Couples wishing to change arrangements already in place should contact us at life.events@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk. There will be no charge for postponing a marriage ceremony or a notice of marriage / civil partnership appointment. Notices of marriage and civil partnership should be deferred until further notice.
Find out more about how COVID-19 is affecting registration services.
What you need to do before your ceremony
Once current restrictions are lifted, before your marriage or civil partnership ceremony, you will need to:
- choose a venue - these are the approved venues
- contact our superintendent registrar to book your ceremony (we do not take bookings earlier than 12 months before the ceremony)
- book an online appointment with the registrar to give notice of your marriage or civil partnership
You can also view and download our guide to your ceremony in Central Bedfordshire.