Find all the advice you need

If you plan to marry in a religious building, you should ask their permission before you make any other arrangements.

If you get married in a Church of England or a Church in Wales church, they will advise you how to have your banns read (if you aren’t subject to immigration control).

You will need to give notice of intention to marry at the Register Office of the district where you live at the latest one month before the ceremony date if you:

• are subject to immigration control
• get married in any other church
• get married in any other religious building

To be married in any religious building, you will need to provide evidence it is:  

• in the district where at least one of you resides, or
• the usual place of worship of at least one of the parties to be married, or
• your nearest place of worship for your religion

Most religious buildings licensed for marriages have an authorised person to register the marriage. This means a Registrar from the Kensington and Chelsea Register Office does not need to attend. However, a minority however do not, so if you get married in a religious building in Kensington and Chelsea, check if they have an authorised person. If they don’t, please contact the Kensington and Chelsea Register Office to book a Registrar.

Some of the religious buildings within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea are licensed for worship but not for marriages. Please check with them directly that they are licensed for marriages.

Please contact us directly at [email protected] if you represent a religious building and would like to:

• licence it for worship
• license it for opposite or same sex marriages or civil partnerships
• update us with any changes to your current licence
• update us with the list of authorised persons