To give legal notice, you must be 18 years or over and able to provide the required original documents. These help confirm your identity, nationality, and eligibility to marry or form a civil partnership.
Proof of Identity and Nationality
If you are British, Irish, or an EEA national with EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status granted or applied for before 1 July 2021, you must bring one of the following:
A valid passport; or
A certificate confirming British citizenship; or
Your birth certificate (requirements vary – see below)
Birth Certificate Requirements:
If born before 1 January 1983: a full or short birth certificate is acceptable
If born on or after 1 January 1983:
Your full birth certificate (showing parents’ details), plus
Evidence of a parent’s British nationality
This will usually be:
Your father’s birth certificate (if your parents were married), or
Your mother’s birth certificate (if your parents were not married)
If your parents were born outside the UK, you will need to provide evidence of their British nationality at the time of your birth.
If your parents were also born after 1 January 1983, additional evidence may be required. If you are unsure, please contact us for guidance.
EEA nationals must also provide a share code from GOV.UK to confirm their EUSS status. Please note this is to prove your immigration status NOT your right to rent or work.
If you are a non-EEA national, or do not hold EUSS status, you must bring:
A passport-sized colour photograph for each person
One of the following:
Valid passport
Valid UK travel document
Biometric residence permit or card
Proof of Name Changes (if applicable)
If your name has changed, you will need to provide evidence such as:
Deed poll or statutory declaration
Previous marriage or civil partnership certificate(s)
Proof of Address
You must provide one of the following, showing your current address:
Utility bill (dated within the last 3 months)
Bank or building society statement (dated within 1 month)
Council tax bill for the current year
Mortgage statement from the current year
Current tenancy agreement
Valid UK driving licence
A signed letter from the property owner or landlord
Ending of Previous Marriage or Civil Partnership
If you have previously been married or in a civil partnership, you must provide evidence that it has legally ended.
This could include:
A divorce or dissolution certificate issued in England or Wales (paper or electronic copy with covering email)
Final divorce/dissolution documents from overseas (with a full English translation if required)
A death certificate of your former spouse or partner
If the death certificate does not show your name, you must also provide your marriage or civil partnership certificate.
Additional fees may apply for:
Foreign divorce/dissolution clearance
Documents referred to the General Register Office
Please allow extra time, as referrals may delay your ceremony date.
Documents in Other Languages
If any of your documents are not in English, you must provide:
The original document
A full English translation
Translations must be certified with:
The translator’s name, address, and contact details
Their signature
A statement confirming it is a true translation
If You Do Not Speak English
If either person does not speak or understand English, you must bring a translator to your notice appointment and your ceremony.
Your translator can be a friend or family member
You cannot translate for each other
If communication is not possible, your appointment will need to be rebooked and the fee paid again.
Home Office Referrals
In certain cases, your notice will be referred to the Home Office. This applies if one or both parties are:
Non-EEA nationals, or
EEA nationals without EUSS status
The Home Office may extend the standard 28-day notice period to up to 70 days for further checks.
If this happens, both parties will be notified in writing.
If you do not comply with a Home Office investigation, your notice will not be valid and your ceremony cannot take place.
Need Advice?
If you are unsure which documents, you need or cannot provide the above, we recommend seeking further guidance:
General Register Office: 0300 123 1837
Or contact our team before booking your appointment registeroffice@coventry.gov.uk
Book Your Appointment
Once you have all your documents ready, you can book your notice appointment online.
[Book your appointment here]
Please ensure you bring all required documents with you. If you are unsure about anything in advance, we strongly recommend contacting us before your appointment to avoid delays or the need to rebook and pay additional charges.