YOUR CEREMONY
The legal bits: notice of marriage or civil partnership After your date, time and venue are booked, you and your partner will both need to give your notice of marriage or civil partnership for the ceremony to take place( this can only be done up to 12 months in advance). If you are British or EU citizens, you give notice in the district( s) in which you live, either together or independently, whichever is more convenient. You will be asked to bring documents to confirm your identity; this is paperwork that confirms your marital or civil partnership status, nationality, residence and names. When you book your appointment, the register office will go through what is required; there is a full list of acceptable documents on akentishceremony. com. After the notice of marriage has been given, you need to wait 28 clear days before the ceremony can take place, and it must be held within the year. Otherwise, you’ ll need to give notice all over again. For example, two notices of marriage or civil partnership given on 1st May 2025 means you can marry on or after 29th May 2025 and until 29th May 2026.
The legal bits: foreign nationals All people subject to immigration control must now satisfy certain criteria before they give their notice of marriage or civil partnership. This can take up to 70 days.
The legal bits: fees and documents Fees are payable for:
• Notice of marriage or civil partnership
• Attendance of registration staff at the ceremony
• Certificate( s)
The ceremony A civil marriage ceremony in an approved premises can be as traditional, grand or simple as you wish. You will be issued with The A Kentish Ceremony Choices booklet, allowing you to make selections for each part of the ceremony. Find out how you can personalise your ceremony on page 22.
Contact
For further information on civil ceremonies and venues and to find contact details for the ceremony teams, visit akentishceremony. com.
Keep up to date with the latest news and trends by visiting our website, where you can also find a digital edition of A Kentish Ceremony magazine.
14 | AKENTISHCEREMONY. COM | SUMMER 2025