Religious marriage ceremonies

If you wish to be married in the Church of England in Tower Hamlets – and generally you will be able to do so only if you or your partner live in the parish – you should first speak to the vicar.

If the vicar is able to marry you, he or she will arrange for the banns to be called on three Sundays before the day of your ceremony or for a common licence to be issued. The marriage will also be registered by the vicar and there is generally no need to involve the local superintendent registrar.

If you wish to marry by religious ceremony other than in the Church of England or Church in Wales, you should first arrange to see the minister or other person in charge of marriages at that establishment.

However, the church or religious building in question must normally be in the registration district where you or your partner live. It will also be necessary for both of you to give formal notice of marriage to the superintendent registrar of the district(s) where you live. A registrar may also need to be booked.