Getting married in a religious or belief ceremony

Religious marriages

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

You still need to give notice at the Registrar’s office in Belfast City Hall if you are having a religious ceremony. 

If you are getting married in a different district, for example Newtownabbey, you will give notice in Mossley Mill. Contact us if you need advice. 

Once you have given notice, we’ll let you know when you can collect the schedule. The bride or groom can collect the schedule and give it to the marriage conductor.

Humanist marriages

Humanist ceremonies are conducted by a Humanist celebrant. 

You still need to give notice at the Registration Office in Belfast City Hall if you are having a humanist ceremony in the Belfast district. Once you have given notice, we’ll let you know when you can collect the schedule.

The bride or groom can collect the schedule and give it to the humanist celebrant.

Collecting your marriage schedule

You will need to book an appointment to collect your marriage schedule from City Hall. We cannot issue the schedule more than 14 days before the marriage and only you or your partner can collect it.

Please select the ‘short appointments’ option on the form when booking.

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, please check your junk mail folder.

Returning your marriage schedule

Once your ceremony has taken place, you need to return your marriage schedule to the Registration Office in City Hall within three working days.

You can make an appointment to do this in person or return it by post to:
Registration, 
Belfast City Hall
Belfast BT1 5GS. 

Your marriage certificate will be posted out to you.

Marriage fees for religious ceremony

The fee for a religious wedding is £44. 

More information

You can contact the Registration Office by calling 028 9027 0455 or emailing registrar@belfastcity.gov.uk.

You can find details of the ceremony format, including information about your dress, music and flowers in our marriages and civil partnerships brochure.