Rights & choices · England
Getting married or forming a civil partnership
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This guide is for people in England.
Marriage and civil partnership are legal relationships.
It is your choice
You can choose whether you want to get married.
You can also choose a civil partnership.
Both people must freely agree.
You must be an adult
Both people must be aged 18 or over.
Ask the register office about the other legal rules.
Get help to understand
A learning disability does not automatically stop you getting married.
Ask for information and communication support that work for you.
Nobody can agree for you
You must be able to agree to this decision yourself.
Your family or support worker cannot agree for you.
Talk to the register office
Ask what you need to do.
Ask which documents to bring.
Tell them how you communicate.
Plan early
You usually need to give notice at least 29 days before the ceremony.
Ask the register office which dates apply to you.
Choose your ceremony
Ask what the ceremony will involve.
You can ask to visit the venue first.
You can have a small celebration.
Ask for access
Check toilets, seating and ways into the building.
Ask about noise, lighting and a quiet space.
Agree the help you need before the day.
Check the costs
Ask for prices in writing.
Decide what you can afford.
You do not need an expensive party.
Ask about money and support
Living together or getting married may affect your benefits.
Ask an adviser what will change for you.
Plan any changes to your home or support.
Check your will
A will says what happens to your money and belongings after death.
Marriage or civil partnership usually cancels an earlier will.
Ask for legal advice before the ceremony.
You can say no
Nobody should force you to get married.
Tell someone safe if you feel pressured.
Call 999 if you are in immediate danger.
You can change your mind
You can say no even if you said yes before.
A booking or money spent does not mean you must marry.
If you want to leave later
Ask for advice about separation or divorce.
A civil partnership can also be legally ended.
Ask for help now if you are unsafe.
What you can do next
Contact your local register office.
Ask for clear information and the support you need.
Read the government guide Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- GOV.UK: marriage and civil partnership Web page
Check eligibility and follow the official steps for England and Wales.
- GOV.UK: giving notice Web page
Timing, local register office appointments and giving notice.
- GOV.UK: planning the ceremony Web page
Civil and religious arrangements, witnesses and signing. Check current fees before booking.
- GOV.UK: legal rights and responsibilities Web page
Legal changes, inheritance and reviewing an existing will.
- GOV.UK: help with forced marriage Web page
Free advice from the Forced Marriage Unit if someone is being pressured or cannot consent.
- GOV.UK: getting a divorce Web page
Eligibility, sole or joint applications and the legal steps to end a marriage.
- GOV.UK: ending a civil partnership Web page
Dissolution and the steps to legally end a civil partnership.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Getting married or forming a civil partnership — Easy Read
Your choice, giving notice, planning an accessible ceremony and checking money and legal changes.
England · Adults aged 18 and over · General information
Start with your own wishes
You may want marriage, a civil partnership, another kind of relationship or no relationship. Your wishes matter. Marriage and civil partnership are legal relationships, with rights and responsibilities. They are available to same-sex and opposite-sex couples. You do not have to marry to show that you care about someone. Ask for information you can understand and time to consider your options.
Check the legal requirements
In England, both people must be aged 18 or over, not closely related and legally free to marry or form a civil partnership. You cannot start a new marriage or civil partnership while an existing one continues. There is a separate process for eligible couples converting their existing civil partnership into marriage. The register office can explain the rules and documents for your situation. Different rules apply elsewhere in the UK or overseas.
Consent and support to decide
Each person must choose freely and be able to consent to the marriage or civil partnership. A learning disability or being autistic does not by itself establish that someone cannot make this decision. Ask for suitable explanations, communication support and enough time. If there is a genuine concern about capacity, it needs individual consideration and appropriate advice. A relative, attorney, deputy or professional cannot consent on someone else’s behalf. A best-interests decision cannot authorise marriage.
Contact the register office and give notice
Ask the local register office what you need to do before booking everything. Giving notice means making a legal statement that you intend to marry or form a civil partnership. It is normally required at least 29 days before the ceremony, and the ceremony must normally take place within 12 months of notice. Anglican weddings can follow a different process. Immigration circumstances can affect the process or waiting period. Confirm the arrangements that apply to you.
Prepare documents and communication support
Ask for an accessible checklist of the documents you need. These can include identity, address and any previous divorce or partner’s death. Explain communication needs before the appointment. Ask about an interpreter, communication aid, extra time, breaks or a supporter you choose. Officials need to hear each person’s own wishes. If you do not have a usual document, ask the register office what alternatives may be accepted.
Choose a ceremony that suits you
Discuss civil and religious options with the registrar or authorised person. A marriage requires vows; civil partnership registration does not require vows, although you can choose a celebration. Check that the venue and arrangements can legally be used. Ask how the required words or signing can be made accessible. Plan witnesses with the registrar; civil ceremonies require at least two. You can choose a small celebration.
Agree access needs in advance
Visit or ask for photographs and clear information. Check step-free access, toilets, seating, hearing support, lighting, noise and a quiet place. Agree how you will communicate, who will support you and how breaks will work. Include guests’ needs too. Ask for reasonable adjustments and written confirmation of agreed arrangements. If someone refuses an adjustment, ask for their reasons and discuss another suitable way to provide access.
Make a budget you understand
Ask for written prices for notice, registration, certificates, the venue and any extras. Decide what you can afford before paying a deposit. A legal ceremony does not require an expensive party, special clothes or a large guest list. Check cancellation terms and who is signing each contract. You can ask someone independent to help compare choices and avoid pressure to borrow or spend more than you want.
Check benefits, housing, support and your will
Marriage, civil partnership or living together can affect financial and legal arrangements. Ask a welfare rights adviser about your particular benefits and report relevant changes; living together as a couple can matter even without a wedding. Discuss any change of home or support with the relevant services. Marriage or civil partnership usually makes an existing will invalid, so get advice before the ceremony. Do not assume being a spouse gives automatic authority to make every health or money decision for the other person.
If there is pressure or you change your mind
You can say no to this person, or decide that you do not want marriage or a civil partnership at all. You do not need to prove someone has harmed you. You can change your mind after an engagement, giving notice or paying for a ceremony. Speak privately to the registrar or an independent adviser. If you fear threats or pressure, ask the Forced Marriage Unit for safe help. Call 999 for immediate danger. If you disagree with a decision about your capacity or access, ask for reasons and independent advocacy or legal advice.
If you want to end the relationship later
You can ask for advice about separation, divorce or ending a civil partnership. Divorce ends a legal marriage; dissolution ends a civil partnership. You can apply on your own, subject to the legal requirements. There are separate decisions about money, housing and children. Use our divorce and civil partnership guide to understand the steps and ask for accessible legal support. If you are unsafe, seek protection now rather than waiting for these proceedings.
Words you could use
“We want information about marriage or civil partnership. Please explain the legal steps, documents, costs and these access needs: …”
More useful links
- GOV.UK: marriage and civil partnership Web page
Check eligibility and follow the official steps for England and Wales.
- GOV.UK: giving notice Web page
Timing, local register office appointments and giving notice.
- GOV.UK: planning the ceremony Web page
Civil and religious arrangements, witnesses and signing. Check current fees before booking.
- GOV.UK: legal rights and responsibilities Web page
Legal changes, inheritance and reviewing an existing will.
- GOV.UK: help with forced marriage Web page
Free advice from the Forced Marriage Unit if someone is being pressured or cannot consent.
- GOV.UK: getting a divorce Web page
Eligibility, sole or joint applications and the legal steps to end a marriage.
- GOV.UK: ending a civil partnership Web page
Dissolution and the steps to legally end a civil partnership.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 7 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- GOV.UK: marriages and civil partnerships Web page
Eligibility, minimum age and links to the legal process.
- GOV.UK: giving notice Web page
Notice period, location and the time limit for the ceremony.
- GOV.UK: documents for giving notice Web page
Identity, address and previous relationship documents.
- GOV.UK: planning the ceremony Web page
Ceremony types, vows, witnesses and signing.
- GOV.UK: legal rights and responsibilities Web page
Inheritance and the usual effect on an existing will.
- Mental Capacity Act 2005, section 27 Web page
Consent to marriage or civil partnership cannot be given for another person under the Act.
- GOV.UK: forced marriage Web page
Free choice, pressure, capacity and routes to protection.
- GOV.UK: Universal Credit changes of circumstances Web page
Reporting changes, including moving in with a partner.
- GOV.UK: marriage and civil partnership comparison Web page
Comparison of marriage and civil partnership for same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
- Equality Act 2010, section 20 Web page
Reasonable adjustments for disabled people.
- GOV.UK: getting a divorce Web page
Eligibility and the distinction between divorce, separation and annulment.
- GOV.UK: ending a civil partnership Web page
Dissolution and associated decisions about children and finances.
- GOV.UK: before applying for divorce Web page
Sole and joint applications and domestic abuse considerations.
- Government: what is forced marriage? Web page
Free consent and changing your mind after agreeing to marry.
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