Marriages in registration district in which neither party resides

If neither party lives in the Registration District where a non-Anglican religious building is located then there are only very specific legal circumstances that will allow notice to be taken, and the ceremony to take place. These are only if :

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  • there is no such religious building in the Registration District where either party resides AND the one stated for the ceremony is the closest geographically.

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OR

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  • at least one party has a current and on-going connection with the religious building where the ceremony is planned to take i.e. this is where they currently worship in person on a regular basis. 

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When giving notice the legal wording signed states which of the above applies, and the Perjury Act applies to any false declaration. 

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Unfortunately the fact that a building is in a Registration District where one party used to live and / or attend; where family have always had their ceremonies; where they know the incumbent well or used to sing in the choir;  the incumbent has agreed to conduct the ceremony; the building is beautiful are not sufficient.

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Where neither bullet point applies one / both parties could consider creating residency (minimum 9 days immediately before giving notice), with both parties giving notice on the same day (so the correct addresses can be used).

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Full details of the relevant Act are here. 

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