Restrictions have changed in relation to marriages and civil partnerships taking place.
If you have any queries, please call 028 9027 0455 or email registrar@belfastcity.gov.uk with your contact details and we will contact you as soon as possible.
If you have decided to have your ceremony at an approved venue, please contact the registration office for availability and advice.
Call us on 028 9027 0274 or email registrar@belfastcity.gov.uk and provide a contact telephone number.
It is very important that you check the availability of a Registrar for the day of your ceremony, and your chosen location, before you pay a deposit with the venue. Ceremonies can be at 12noon or 3pm, Monday to Saturday.
There are several places in Belfast which have licences to hold civil marriage and partnership ceremonies, subject to the availability of a registrar.
The following venues have been approved by the Registrar:
These prices are effective from 1 July 2024 and apply to civil weddings and civil partnerships in an approved venue:
Fees should be paid when you return your notice forms, before your ceremony.
For more information about our fees, email registrar@belfastcity.gov.uk or call 028 9027 0455.
Full details of the ceremony format, including information about your dress, music and flowers, are available in our marriages and civil partnerships brochure. Please email registrars@belfastcity.gov.uk if you would like a copy of this.
We can also provide a checklist form, which you can complete and return it to the Registrar at least two weeks before your ceremony, along with any outstanding documents. This allows the Registrar to prepare for your ceremony.
Under the Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, we can grant other venues, such as hotels and restaurants, a three-year licence to hold civil marriage and partnership ceremonies, subject to a successful application.
A three-year licence to hold civil marriage and partnership ceremonies costs £400.
You will also need to provide:
Apply for a licence to hold marriage and civil partnership ceremonies
Before you apply, please read the terms and conditions for online services as well as our privacy information.
We accept the following credit or debit cards:
Full terms and conditions relating to civil marriage and partnership venues are available in our guidance notes for an application for premises to be approved for a three-year period as a venue for civil marriages/partnerships. Please call 028 9027 0455 or email registrar@belfastcity.gov.uk with your contact details to request these.
We will assess and acknowledge your application within ten days of receiving it. A decision will be made within three months, provided all the necessary requirements have been met.
We may also inspect your premises to make sure they comply with health and safety laws.
If your application is rejected, we will notify you in writing with a reason why your application wasn’t successful.
Under the Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, we have to give public notice of all three-year applications. This means that members of the public have the right to object to your application, once public notice has been given.
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