The legal preliminaries

Before you can marry, there are certain formalities which are required under law. You must both attend the Register Office in the district in which you live to inform them of your intention to marry. This is called giving notice. Notice cannot be given by a friend or relative.

When giving notice of your marriage, which takes approximately half an hour to 45 minutes, you should make an appointment to see the Superintendent Registrar in the district where you live.

You will each be required to give an individual notice. If you live in the same district, then both notices will be given in the same office. If you live in separate districts, you will be required to each give notice in the district in which you live. It is important that you also make any necessary arrangements with the Superintendent Registrar within the district where you wish to marry. 

Registration Officers have a statutory duty to report any marriage they suspect has been arranged for the sole purpose of evading statutory immigration controls.