Registering a place for civil marriage ceremonies

People wishing to use their premises for civil marriages must be in possession of a licence which approves those premises.

The purpose of the licence is to ensure that the premises are safe and appropriate for the purpose of civil ceremonies.

An application must be made by the proprietor or trustee of the premises.

Before applying please read the guidance notes for civil ceremonies at approved premises (Word, 27 kb).

Please contact us for an inspection of your premises before you submit your application. This lets us ensure your premises are suitable before you pay any fees. 

Licence application process:

Firstly please contact us to arrange an inspection by the Superintendent Registrar first, then complete and submit the application form.

• Application form (Word, 34 kb)
• The appropriate fee must be included with the application. The fee for a three year licence is £800 for 1 room, £1100 for 2-4 rooms, and £1400 for 5 or more rooms.
• 3 Copies of a plan of the premises showing the room(s) must be included with the application or sent separately. The application will not be processed before we receive these.
• Premises must satisfy our fire precautions and health and safety provisions.
• After submitting the application, but before it is approved, you must advertise for 1 week a public notice of the application in a local newspaper (Word, 21 kb) allowing three weeks for objection.
• If your application is approved, it will be valid for three years, subject to terms and conditions.

The licence is only granted once the full application process has been completed. If you have not been contacted by us 28 days after the public notice advert date, please contact us on 0207 364 7880.

All licences are subject to approval and issue by the Superintendent Registrar.

Renewal of licence

All approved venue licences need to be renewed every three years.

You can start the renewal process a year before your licence is to expire. The renewal process is the same as the initial application process, and you need to complete and submit the same forms.

The renewal of a licence is granted if there have been no changes to the original application, or if any changes or additional rooms included, satisfy our fire precautions and health and safety provisions.

All renewal licences are subject to approval and issue by the Superintendent Registrar.

What to do if your application is refused

Applications may be refused if they do not meet the requirements set out in the guidance notes (Word, 27 kb).

If your application has been unsuccessful and you wish to appeal against the decision you can do so by contacting us.

Objections

If you have any objections to an application for premises approval, please contact us within 21 days of the notice of application appearing in the local newspaper. 

Contact us

We are constantly striving to improve our services and welcome any comments you may have regarding the Tower Hamlets Registration Office. If you were unhappy with any aspect of the service, or if you have a suggestion for improvement, please feel free to contact us. Please also feel free to pass on any positive comments, this helps us to monitor and improve our service and facilities.

Tower Hamlets Register Office
Bromley Public Hall
Bow Road
E3 3AA

Tel: 020 7364 7880
Fax: 0207 364 7885

Email: register.office@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm. Wednesday 9.30-11.30am and 2-4.30pm.           

We do not operate an appointment system so you can attend this office anytime during the opening hours. We do have early morning and late evening appointments for giving Notice of Marriage/Civil Partnership and Nationality Checking Service, please call us for further information and to book an appointment.     

Please note: All parties wishing to place Notice of Marriage or Civil Partnership need to attend this office by 4pm. NON Tower Hamlets residents must contact us to arrange an appointment.      

Download map to register office (Word, 415kb)

If you wish to take a complaint further you can get in contact with the Tower Hamlets Corporate Complaints Service at:

Corporate Complaints Team
Tower Hamlets Town Hall
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
E 14 2BG

Tel (English/ Sylheti): 020 7364 4161
Fax: 020 7364 4300
Minicom: 020 7364 4853

Email: complaints@towerhamlets.gov.uk

For free translation of this information phone the Newham translation service:

020 8430 6921 from Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm