Marriage arrangement and ceremony

We are responsible for taking notice of intented marriages.  The marriage can take place in the Brent Register Office or any other register office in England or Wales, churches other than the Church of England, or any country or place allowed by law. 

If you are a British citizen or a member of the European Union, you must give the notice in the local authority where you have lived for the last seven days. However, if one of you are a foreign national subject to immigration control, it will be necessary to obtain permission from the Home Office before notice is given and for both partners to attend a designated register office together. Brent is a designated office.

The law specifies that the minimum waiting time between giving notice of intent to marry and getting married is 15 clear days.

The notice of marriage is a face-to-face interview therefore each person must attend to give notice. 

You will also need to take along proof of your identity (Passport or Identity Card - if a member of the European Union), proof of residence (Utility bill, bank statement, driving licence) and a statutory fee of £30.00.

If you have being married before proof of the marriage ending legally is required.  If divorced in the UK this will be a County Court Judgement or a High Court Judgement of the Family Division.  If divorced abroad, the original court papers with an English translation.  If widowed, evidence of the marriage and death.

If you have changed your name, evidence of the change of name is required (deed poll or statutory declaration).

You can have your civil marriage in the town hall, weddings times are available Monday to Sunday. We also have a large award winning garden for photograhs. To book the ceremony room, contact us at reg@brent.gov.uk or 020 8937 1010.

A webcam is available for you to share your wedding with family and friends over the internet. Please ask staff for details.

Change of name
You are legally entitled to take your spouse's surname. If you wish to change your name in any other way you should do so by Deed Poll.

You must notify all UK organisations and the relevant government departments after you've changed name so their records can be amended.

The new name kit contains a database of UK organisations and automatically generates letters with your change of personal details, just print and send.