Church and other religious buildings

If you are planning a church wedding you should first seek the permission of the Minister or governing body before you can make any other arrangements.

If you wish to be married in the Church of England (and generally you will only be able to do so if you or your partner live in the parish) you should contact the Vicar of the Parish. If he/she is able to marry you he/she will arrange for Banns to be called on three Sundays before the day of your ceremony or for a common licence to be issued and there is generally no need to involve the Superintendent Registrar.

If you are getting married in any other church or religious building you will need to give a Notice of Marriage to the Superintendent Registrar of the district in which you reside.

Some churches (although not the Church of England) require the attendance of a Registrar at a wedding, whereas some others have their own Authorised Person. If you will need a Registrar from this office to attend your ceremony you should book this with us as far in advance as possible.

Some of the churches within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea are licensed for worship but not for the performance of marriage ceremonies. If you are in any doubt whether your chosen Church is licensed for marriages then please ask the pastor/priest at the church for clarification.

Please note that under the current legislation it is not possible for same sex couples to form a civil partnership in a church or other religious building.

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