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. 

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

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

Civil marriages

A civil marriage can be conducted by a registrar or deputy registrar for the district where the ceremony will take place.

Read more about civil ceremonies.

Religious marriages

A religious or belief marriage can only be performed by a minister, priest or pastor or person who has been registered as an officiant and authorised by the Registrar General to conduct religious or belief marriages.

Read about religious and belief marriages.

Humanist ceremonies

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 more about Humanist ceremonies.

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.

Download the marriage notice form from nidirect’s website (link opens in new window)

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

How do I give notice?

• The best way is to make an appointment (link opens in new window) and we will see you in person. If you are having a civil ceremony, please 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.
  We can accept photocopies of your passport and birth certificate so please don’t post your original documents. However, we will need to see the originals before your ceremony takes place. 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

You and your partner should provide the following documents along with 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 were married or in a civil partnership previously, you will also need to bring the following:

• a certificate of divorce or annulment or a certified copy decree if you have been married before and the marriage was dissolved (decrees must be absolute or final)
• a court order of dissolution for a civil partnership if you have entered one before
• the death certificate of your former spouse or civil partner if you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner.

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

Convert marriage to civil partnership

From 7 December 2020 to 6 December 2023, couples in a same sex civil partnership or opposite sex marriage can change their civil partnership to a marriage or marriage into a civil partnership.

Read more and book an appointment.

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.