The Marriages, Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration Etc) Act 2019
The Act will modernise how marriages are registered for the first time since 1837, through issue of a marriage schedule system and registration in an electronic register. It will move away from the current paper register creating a more secure system for keeping marriage records, that is also more efficient and far simpler to administer and amend, if necessary, in the future.
The electronic register will also allow for the names of parents of the couple (mother / father / parent) to be included in the marriage entry and on marriage certificates, instead of only their fathers’ names as is currently the case.
This was implemented on 4 May 2021.
What will change?
Ceremonies at Our Venues and Approved Marriage and Civil Partnership Venues
- From 4 May 2021 couples will be invited to sign a marriage schedule. This will be instead of the current practice of signing the marriage register.
- Couples will have the option to include up to 4 parents in the schedule and subsequently their marriage certificate i.e. Mother, Father, Stepmother and Stepfather.
- From 4 May 2021 couples will not receive the certificate on the day of the ceremony.
- Marriage certificates will be processed and posted by the Register Office within 4 working days of the ceremony and we will discuss this with you when making the final arrangements for your ceremony.
Marriages in Religious Buildings (not Church of England)
- From the date of implementation, if you have already collected your Certificates for Marriage (blue paperwork) you will need to arrange to collect the marriage schedule for their ceremony to take place. The Registration Team can be contacted on 0121 368 1188 to arrange this.
- From 4 May 2021 couples will be invited to sign a marriage schedule. This will be instead of the current practice of signing the marriage register.
- Couples will have the option to include up to 4 parents in the schedule and subsequently their marriage certificate i.e. Mother, Father, Stepmother and Stepfather.
- Couples are expected to return the signed schedule to the Register Office in the District where the marriage took place within 7 days of the ceremony. The Register Office will then process and post marriage certificates within 4 working days of receipt of the signed schedule.
Church of England Marriages
- From 4 May 2021 couples will be invited to sign a Marriage Document. This will be instead of the current practice of signing the marriage register.
- Couples will have the option to include up to 4 parents in the document and subsequently their marriage certificate i.e. Mother, Father, Stepmother and Stepfather.
- Couples are expected to return the signed Marriage Document to the Register Office in the District where the marriage took place within 7 days of the ceremony.
- Once the Marriage Document has been returned you will need to apply for your marriage certificate either via our online service or telephone us on 0121 368 1188. The fee for each marriage certificate is £11. The certificate will then be processed and posted within 4 working days of receiving your application