Approval of premises for marriage or civil partnerships

If you operate a business premises and would like to offer it as a venue for marriages or civil partnerships, you should apply to the Council for approval under the Marriage Act 1994 and the Civil Partnership Act 2004.

Within the approved premises an individual, identifiable, room or rooms will be specified as the ceremonies room(s) where civil marriages may be solemnised and civil partnerships may be formed. Only rooms specified in the licence may be used for this purpose and the licence, which is applied to named premises, cannot be transferred between premises.

A licence will normally run for 3 years, from the date of issue, and will terminate at the end of that period unless renewed or revoked.

Applications must be accompanied by:

• A copy of a valid fire risk assessment
• Documentary evidence that you have in force a public liability insurance to the minimum value of £5 million and the renewal date
• List of Directors (if appropriate)
• 1 copy of a plan (or plans) of the premises clearly identifying their location and the room(s) to be licensed. Plans should be no larger than A3 size
• The cost of inspection and issue of the licence itself is included in the fee

Application for approval to use premises for civil marriage and civil partnership

Once you submit your application, a licensing officer will contact you to arrange an inspection of your premises in accordance with the approval conditions.

You will also be contacted by the marriage registrar who will make a visit to ensure that the proposed venue is deemed dignified for ceremonies.

The Licence will be determined within 40 days of receipt of the application.

If you would like to make a licensing enquiry, please use the online form.

Approval of premises for marriage or civil partnerships