As celebrants, we often talk about the simple process of completing your legal marriage paperwork in a statutory appointment with a register office - which is the cheapest and quickest way to do the legal part. And we suggest you save your funds (and celebrations) for your ceremony crafted and delivered by your independent, professional celebrant. But recently we have noticed that several Registration Offices are making the legal process a little difficult!
We heard just today of one couple who made enquiries to their local register office (not in Cornwall) for a statutory marriage appointment and were told there was no availability until OCTOBER! We’ve also heard of other register offices (especially in London) only offering these appointments ‘out of season’ i.e. October to April. But - if you make an enquiry about a ‘simple’ ceremony at the same register office, one which will cost far more money than the statutory appointment, then suddenly there is availability! You’re surprised, right….?!
Luckily our couple had a chat with us about making their statutory marriage appointment in Cornwall, a few days ahead of their celebratory ceremony, which they were successful in - yey!
So here’s the link for Cornwall statutory appointments should you need it - it’s not easy to find if you look for it yourself (it’s not on the ceremony page, but you can find it on the pricing page - and of course, this link might change!)
A statutory marriage appointment in Cornwall currently costs £56 (and the fees to give notice are £42 each) - which is great value, as we’ve seen these fees a lot higher in other counties (£240 in central London, for example). And if you are booking it alongside a celebrant-led ceremony (led by an independent professional celebrant!), we would suggest you are not swayed into spending more money with the register office on a Distinctive Ceremony (£630 - £1125) or a Classic Ceremony (£518 - £791) or even a Simple Ceremony (£340 - £539)...you can just spend £56 plus your notice fees for the same outcome!
So here are some of our helpful hints for booking your statutory marriage (or civil partnership) appointment:
Book early - especially if you have a date in mind
As we mentioned earlier, some register offices won't even consider these appointments in their ‘busy’ season (even if it does only take 10 minutes!) and in Cornwall, these appointments are pretty popular.
Be flexible
The register office will probably say availability of these appointments is restricted - so you may need to consider a Thursday morning instead of a Friday afternoon, or you might need to go to Bodmin office instead of Truro…
Be persistent
We have heard of a lot of register offices misleading couples into thinking they need to spend £500+ on a “simple” ceremony - when this is not the case. Yes, you can take more people (up to 6 in Cornwall) to a simple ceremony rather than the allocated two people to a statutory appointment - but really, is it worth it? Wouldn’t you rather spend the money elsewhere? And be aware different offices call this appointment different things - such as a 2+2 ceremony or a 2+2 appointment, or a You plus Two ceremony … if you can’t find the information you need, you can always ask your independent celebrant, they will often know!
And some more info to answer those most commonly asked FAQs:
What if we live outside of Cornwall but want to have our legal marriage appointment there?
First get in touch with Cornwall Registration Service to check availability and make the booking for your legal marriage appointment; they will then ask you to book an appointment to give notice at your local registration office in the district where you both live. They will also advise you what documentation you need to prepare and of any fees payable.
What does giving notice mean?
It’s simply an appointment to “give notice” of your intention to marry - or form a civil partnership - and is the process which ensures that your marriage or civil partnership is legally able to take place. This is a really helpful blog on the subject - the main things to bear in mind are that you and your partner must each give notice in person (not online, nor over the 'phone) at the register office where you live at least 29 days before your statutory marriage appointment, but no more than 12 months in advance.
What happens at the giving notice appointment?
You will need to take all the necessary documents you have been advised to, and you'll be interviewed together and separately. The questions will vary, and are nothing to worry about, but the registrars want to be sure that you are both free and consenting to marry each other, and the process is there to protect vulnerable individuals from being coerced into marriage and prevent illegal marriages from taking place. Check that ALL the information you give the register office is correct. It’s much easier to correct mistakes when you give notice than at the statutory appointment.
What happens in the statutory marriage appointment?
It still is a ceremony, despite the title! A very simple ceremony, which usually takes place in an office rather than a ceremony room. You can’t customise any part of this ceremony, so you can’t have music or readings - and some offices do not allow you to exchange rings. Cornwall currently does, but we actually suggest you save this until your celebrant-led celebration!
And what about witnesses?
You will need to take two witnesses to observe and listen to the legal phrases you will say and they will sign the marriage schedule with you. Witnesses usually have to be aged over 16, must understand the language of the ceremony and have the mental capacity to understand what's taking place. Register office staff are not allowed to act as witnesses, so we suggest you arrange your witnesses in advance - leaving it until the day is quite risky! If we are able, we will happily be your witnesses!
How long is the statutory marriage appointment/ceremony?
The ceremony should take no more than 10 minutes - but you and your witnesses should arrive 15 mins early to confirm all the last details with the registrars.
What words will we say in a statutory marriage appointment/ceremony?
The ceremony consists of legal declaratory and contracting words that you are each required to repeat after the registrar. They are as follows:
I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I __________may not be joined in matrimony to ___________
and
I call upon these persons here present to witness that I ________do take thee ___________to be my lawful wedded wife/husband
A civil partnership doesn’t require any legal words to be spoken - you simply sign the schedule in the presence of your two witnesses and the registrar.
Do we get a certificate?
You won’t get your marriage/civil partnership certificate on the day of your ceremony, it will be posted to you up to 2 weeks after your ceremony. And in Cornwall, there is a fee of £12.50 for this but some places factor it into the overall fee for your appointment/ceremony.
Hopefully this helps - all information is correct at the time of posting - but if you can't get the answers you need, ask your own independent celebrant for assistance.
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