Marriages

Arranging your day

We can help you organise your special day. If you plan to get married in Belfast, it is important that you read all of the information on this page. 

You will first need to decide when and where to have your ceremony before giving notice of your marriage.

Fill out our marriage and civil partnership enquiry form or call 028 9027 0455 to speak to us about your arrangements.

Civil marriages

A civil marriage ceremony can be conducted by a registrar or deputy registrar for the district in which it is to take place.

Read more about civil marriages.

Religious marriages

Religious ceremonies may, with the agreement of the Officiant, take place anywhere in Northern Ireland. Services are conducted by authorised people, according to the relevant tradition.

Read about religious and belief marriages

Humanist marriages

Humanist ceremonies are conducted by a Humanist celebrant. Ceremonies can only take place in a venue which is approved by us, for example, a licenced hotel. 

Read about religious and belief marriages

Marriage notice

You must give at least 28 days’ notice to get married. If you don't give this in time, you may need to postpone your marriage. 

You can give notice up to a year before the date of your marriage. We recommend a period of 10 to 12 weeks’ notice for a religious or humanist marriage.

Before you can get married in Belfast, you and your partner will need to complete a marriage notice form and produce other essential documents. You will need a separate form for each person.

Visit nidirect to download the marriage notice form (link opens in new window)

This still applies if you are having a religious or humanist ceremony. The marriage notice forms must be signed by the religious conductor.

How do I give notice?

• The best way is to book an appointment (link opens in new window) and we will see you in person. If you are having a civil ceremony, make sure you have spoken to the Registrars about booking your ceremony date before making the appointment.
• You can also post your original completed marriage notice forms along with relevant documents, to: Registration, Belfast City Hall, Belfast BT1 5GS. Make sure you have the correct postage for your documents, or we may not receive them.

Don’t post your original passport and birth certificate as we can accept photocopies. However, we will need to see the originals before your ceremony takes place and you can bring these when you collect your schedule. Call us on 028 9027 0455 to discuss and make your payment. You can also send a cheque, made payable to Belfast City Council. 

Documents you will need

These documents must be provided by both you and your partner when returning your marriage notice forms:

• your full (long version) birth or adoption certificate  
• your passport or national identity card - the Registrar can advise on alternatives if you do not hold either of these
• a consent form (if you are 16 or 17 years old)
• if you have been married before and the marriage was dissolved, a certificate of divorce or annulment or a certified copy decree (decrees must be absolute or final)
• if you have entered into a civil partnership before, a court order of dissolution for that partnership
• if you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner, the death certificate of your former spouse or civil partner.

If you're a non-EEA citizen, read nidirect's information (link opens in new window) on getting married in Northern Ireland.

Marriage fees

Convert marriage to civil partnership

From 7 December 2020 to 6 December 2023, couples in a same-sex civil partnership or opposite sex marriage can change their civil partnership to a marriage or marriage into a civil partnership.

Read more and book an appointment

Getting married outside of Northern Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland and want to get married outside of NI, you may need to provide a document showing that you are free to marry.

In this case, you will need to complete a marriage notice application form to apply for a certificate of legal capacity to marry (Certificate of non-impediment).

You must submit your application in the district of your home address and proof of home address is required before the application will be accepted. The usual supporting documents for a marriage application are also required. A fee of £22 per certificate is payable on submission of the application.

When the marriage notice form has been submitted, the certificate of legal capacity to marry will be issued after at least 28 days have passed. 

You will then need to book an appointment with us to collect your certificate. Appointments are available from Monday to Friday. Select the ‘short appointments’ option on the form to book your appointment.

Book an appointment

Once you have completed your booking, you will receive a confirmation email with further information about your appointment. If you don’t receive this, check your junk mail folder.

If you have any issues booking online, call us on 028 9027 0290.

Couples can also choose to have their legal ceremony in Belfast, or other districts in Northern Ireland, and then have a symbolic ceremony abroad.

For more information on getting married outside of Northern Ireland (link opens in new window), visit nidirect’s website .

More information

Please visit nidirect's website for more guidance on marriage procedures.