Marriages

Arranging your day

We can help you organise your special day. If you plan to get married in Belfast, it is important that you read all of the information on this page. 

You will first need to decide when and where to have your ceremony before giving notice of your marriage.

Fill out our marriage and civil partnership enquiry form or call 028 9027 0455 to speak to us about your arrangements.

Marriages and Civil Partnerships survey

Have you used our Registration Office at City Hall in the past two years?

If so, we want your feedback about your personal experiences when dealing with life changing events such as:

• registering the birth of a baby,
• registering a death, or for
• a wedding or civil partnership with our Registrars at City Hall or our approved venues.

The survey will only take a few minutes to complete and will help us identify how we can improve the registration process or enhance the services we offer.

Complete the survey (link opens in new window)

Civil marriages

A civil marriage ceremony can be conducted by a registrar or deputy registrar for the district in which it is to take place.

Read more about civil marriages.

Religious marriages

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

Read about religious and belief marriages

Humanist marriages

Humanist ceremonies are conducted by a Humanist celebrant. Ceremonies can only take place in a venue which is approved by us, for example, a licenced hotel. 

Read about religious and belief marriages

Marriage notice

You must give at least 28 days’ notice to get married. If you don't give this in time, you may need to postpone your marriage. 

You can give notice up to a year before the date of your marriage. We recommend a period of 10 to 12 weeks’ notice for a religious or humanist marriage.

Before you can get married in Belfast, you and your partner will need to complete a marriage notice form and produce other essential documents. You will need a separate form for each person.

Visit nidirect to download the marriage notice form (link opens in new window)

This still applies if you are having a religious or humanist ceremony. The marriage notice forms must be signed by the religious conductor.

How do I give notice?

• The best way is to book an appointment (link opens in new window) and we will see you in person. If you are having a civil ceremony, make sure you have spoken to the Registrars about booking your ceremony date before making the appointment.
• You can also post your original completed marriage notice forms along with relevant documents, to: Registration, Belfast City Hall, Belfast BT1 5GS. Make sure you have the correct postage for your documents, or we may not receive them.

Don’t post your original passport and birth certificate as we can accept photocopies. However, we will need to see the originals before your ceremony takes place and you can bring these when you collect your schedule. Call us on 028 9027 0455 to discuss and make your payment. You can also send a cheque, made payable to Belfast City Council. 

Documents you will need

These documents must be provided by both you and your partner when returning your marriage notice forms:

• your full (long version) birth or adoption certificate  
• your passport or national identity card - the Registrar can advise on alternatives if you do not hold either of these
• a consent form (if you are 16 or 17 years old)
• if you have been married before and the marriage was dissolved, a certificate of divorce or annulment or a certified copy decree (decrees must be absolute or final)
• if you have entered into a civil partnership before, a court order of dissolution for that partnership
• if you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner, the death certificate of your former spouse or civil partner.

If you're a non-EEA citizen, read nidirect's information (link opens in new window) on getting married in Northern Ireland.

Marriage fees

Fees for Belfast City Hall Registrar's office

Fees for approved council venues

Religious marriage notice fees

Two notice fees (£22 each): £44

Approved venue licence fee

Temporary licence for approved venues: £400

More information

Our prices are effective from 1 July 2024. For more information about our marriage and venue fees, email registrar@belfastcity.gov.uk or call 028 9027 0455.

Getting married outside of Northern Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland and want to get married outside of NI, you may need to provide a document showing that you are free to marry.

In this case, you will need to complete a marriage notice application form to apply for a certificate of legal capacity to marry (Certificate of non-impediment).

You must submit your application in the district of your home address and proof of home address is required before the application will be accepted. The usual supporting documents for a marriage application are also required. A fee of £22 per certificate is payable on submission of the application.

When the marriage notice form has been submitted, the certificate of legal capacity to marry will be issued after at least 28 days have passed. 

You will then need to book an appointment with us to collect your certificate. Appointments are available from Monday to Friday. Please select the ‘short appointments’ option on the form to book your appointment.

Book an appointment

You will receive a confirmation email after booking. If you don’t receive this, please check your junk mail folder.

Couples can also choose to have their legal ceremony in Belfast, or other districts in Northern Ireland, and then have a symbolic ceremony abroad.

For more information on getting married outside of Northern Ireland, visit nidirect’s website (link opens in new window).

More information

Please visit nidirect's website for more guidance on marriage procedures.