Civil marriages and partnerships

Civil marriage and partnership ceremonies are non-religious and can be held for opposite-sex and same-sex couples.

A superintendent registrar (officiant) and a registrar conduct civil ceremonies and they have legal status. You do not have to live in South Gloucestershire to have your ceremony here.

Civil marriages

Before you marry you must give notice of your intention to do so. This can be done up to 12 months before your ceremony takes place.

A civil marriage is completed once you and your partner have declared yourselves free to marry and have agreed to marry each other by exchanging formal wording (vows) in the presence of the registrar and at least 2 witnesses.

At the end of the ceremony, the registrar will ask you to check and sign the marriage schedule. Your witnesses will also be asked to print their names and sign the schedule.

Civil partnerships

Civil partnerships provide couples with similar rights and responsibilities to married couples, but under different legislation.

You will need to give notice before forming a civil partnership. This can be done up to 12 months before your ceremony takes place.

A civil partnership is formed when both parties have signed the partnership schedule in the presence of the registrar and at least 2 witnesses. Unlike a marriage, you do not have to say specific wording to legalise your partnership.

Choosing your ceremony

You can choose a registration, known as a statutory ceremony, or a ceremony in an approved venue for both civil marriages and partnerships.

Registration

A registration includes you and your partner, 2 guests who act as legal witnesses, and 2 registrars to conduct the legalities.

The registration takes place in a designated room at the register office in Kingswood Civic Centre.

Although there is no music or readings, it is still an occasion where you can make your legal commitment to each other. You can exchange rings and accompanying words if desired.

If preferred, the registration can consist only of signing the marriage or partnership schedule in the presence of 2 witnesses and 2 registrars.

Ceremony

A ceremony allows you to make choices about the venue and the words you wish to say to each other. It can also include an exchange of rings, readings and music.

You may invite as many guests as the room is licensed to hold, but this number must include you, your partner and the 2 registrars.

Venues

The following are approved non-religious premises within South Gloucestershire where civil marriage or partnership ceremonies can be held.

The South Gloucestershire Register Office 

Kingswood Civic Centre
High Street
Kingswood
Bristol
BS15 9TR

The Register Office cannot provide witnesses for your ceremony. Ensure you arrange this yourselves before arriving.

Approved premises

You can find an approved premises on our online map.

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Once you have made provisional arrangements with your chosen venue, contact us on 01454 863140 to book our registrars to attend and conduct the ceremony. You can do this up to 2 years in advance.

Read our terms and conditions.

Fees and booking

Registration of civil marriage or partnership registration at register office (statutory ceremony)

• Tuesdays 9.30am to 11.30am, £62 plus £60 booking fee until 31 March 2027

The ceremony fee and non-refundable booking fee must be paid in full when booking your ceremony.

Ceremony for civil marriage or partnership at approved premises

• Monday to Thursday £665 until 31 March 2027
• Friday and Saturday £725 until 31 March 2027
• Sunday and bank holidays £850 until 31 March 2027

A non-refundable deposit of £60 must be paid when booking a ceremony at approved premises. The remaining balance is due 8 weeks before the ceremony.

You will need to pay £12.50 for each marriage or civil partnership certificate issued.

If statutory fees are changed by HM Treasury there will be additional charges. This includes the cost of certificates and registration fees.