A Religious Marriage takes place in a church, chapel, or religious building in the presence of a vicar, priest or minister who represents the presence of God.
The church, chapel or religious building would normally be situated in the district where you or your partner live. You may also get married in another district if there is no building of your religion in the district where you or your partner lives.
Same sex couples can marry in religious buildings providing the premises has been registered for the marriage of same sex couples.
Most churches, chapels and religious buildings appoint their own registrars “appointed persons” who would be present at your religious ceremony. If the religious building does not have their own “appointed person” then you will need to book a registrar from the Registration Office then there will be a charge of £104. The Vicar, priest or minister will advise if they do not have an “appointed person” for their religious ceremonies.
Please contact the Registration Office if you need to book a Registrar for your religious ceremony.
Church of England or Church in Wales
If you are planning to marry in a Church of England or Church in Wales, you will not need to give Notice of Marriage at your local Registration Office. The Vicar would read out a Notice in church to announce an intended marriage and give the opportunity for objections. This is also known as reading the Banns.
Nationals of countries within the EU who live in England and have Settled, or Pre-settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be married by Banns and will not need to give Notice at a Registration Office.
If either party to the marriage is a national of an EU country and does not have settled or pre-settled status (or a pending application), or a national of a non-EU country you may be subject to immigration control. This means your banns would not be read in church and you would be required to give your notices together at the Register Office covering the district in which you have both lived for nine consecutive. If you both live in different districts you must give your notices together at either Register Office.
You need to contact your Vicar to arrange your wedding ceremony in a Church of England or Church in Wales.
Other Religious Buildings including a Catholic Church
If you are planning to marry in any religious building other than the Church of England or Church in Wales, you are both required to give notice.
You should give your notices at the register office where you live or have lived for the previous 8 days.
If you live in Wigan or Leigh (meaning the property where you live pays Council Tax to Wigan Council), there are two Register Offices that you can attend at the following locations:
If either party to the marriage is a national of an EU country and does not have settled or pre-settled status (or a pending application), or a national of a non-EU country you may be subject to immigration control. You would be required to give your notices together at the Register Office covering the district in which you have both lived for the preceding eight days. If you both live in different districts you must give your notices together at either Register Office.
You need to contact your Parish Priest or Religious Minister to arrange your wedding ceremony at a Catholic Church or other Religious Building.
Marriage certificates
Certificates are not issued on the day of your wedding ceremony. You can order a copy of your marriage certificate online after your ceremony.
We can only provide certificates once the marriage schedule or document has been returned to us to register the event.
If we have not received this, we will let you know so you can follow this up with the clergy or appointed person.