Premises approval for marriage or civil ceremonies - Applying for a Licence

The Approval of Premises as Venues for Marriages under Section 26(1)(bb) of the Marriage Act 1949 and Civil Partnerships under Section 6 (3A)(a) of the Civil Partnership Act 2004.

The laws relating to "approved premises" are intended to allow proceedings to take place regularly in hotels, stately homes, civic halls and similar premises without compromising the fundamental principles of English law and Parliament's intention to maintain the solemnity of the occasion.

The premises must be a permanently immovable structure comprising at least a room or any boat or other vessel which is permanently moored. Any premises in the open air, a tent, marquee or any other temporary structure and most forms of transport, would not be eligible for approval.

The premises must not be religious premises as defined by section 6(2) of the Civil Partnership Act 2004. These are premises which are used solely or mainly for religious purposes or which have been used solely or mainly for religious purposes and have not been subsequently used for other purposes. A building that is certified for public worship would fall into this category as would a chapel in a stately home or hospice.

The application must be made by the proprietor or trustee of the premises. When made on behalf of a limited company there should be a separate statement of the names and addresses of all the directors.

The application must be in writing (including by electronic means) and include:

• the name and address of the applicant
• copies of any licences issued under the Licensing Act 2003
• a plan of the premises which clearly identifies the room or rooms in which the proceedings will occur, including those intended as a contingency

A fee of £1000 (£500 for certain organisations) will be payable on application.

Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005

The premises will be inspected by the local authority to determine the following:

• The premises must, in the opinion of the authority, be a seemly and dignified venue for the proceedings, which must take place in an identifiable and distinct part of those premises.
• The premises are not religious premises as defined by section 6(2) of the Civil Partnership Act 2004.
• The premises must be regularly available to the public for use for the solemnisation of marriages and the registration of civil partnerships.
• The premises must be fully accessible and there must be satisfactory facilities on the premises for use by people with disabilities.
• The authority will also want to be satisfied that the fire assessment in place at the premises is suitable for the intended purpose.

Once the premises has been identified as suitable, your application and plan will be made available to the public for inspection at the Civic Centre, Pontypool and a public notice of the application will be placed on the local authority website as part of a 21 day public consultation process.

The grant of approval will run for three years from the date on which it is granted. Any change in the ownership of the premises will also change the holder of the approval. Any changes to the details on the application must be notified to the authority.

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. There are both local and national conditions which will be attached to grants of approval.

If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact it. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below.

Please contact the Superintendent Registrar at the Register Office, Civic Centre, Pontypool NP4 6YB.

Please contact the Superintendent Registrar at the Register Office, Civic Centre, Pontypool NP4 6YB.

An applicant may seek a review by the local authority of its decision to refuse to grant an approval, to attach local conditions, to refuse to renew an approval or to revoke an approval.

A direction by the Registrar General to revoke an approval is not subject to review by the authority.

Please contact the Superintendent Registrar at the Register Office, Civic Centre, Pontypool NP4 6YB.

An applicant may seek a review by the local authority of its decision to refuse to grant an approval, to attach local conditions, to refuse to renew an approval or to revoke an approval.

A direction by the Registrar General to revoke an approval is not subject to review by the authority.

We would advise that in the event of a complaint, the first contact should be made to the Superintendent Registrar at the Register Office, Civic Centre, Pontypool NP4 6YB.