Did you know that you have to register your marriage with the General Register Office?

The General Register Office (GRO) is part of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) and is responsible for the administration and control of marriages as well as the formality of marriages and the conduct of civil marriages. The GRO has a District Registration Office in each of the twenty-six Councils.

I contacted the Magherafelt District Council Registration Office to enquire about registering my marriage.  The first thing I was asked was ‘when and where’ my marriage was taking place.  As this is February and I am not getting married until December I was advised I was in good time. I was told to call at the council offices and pick up a ‘Marriage Notice Form’. 

By law each party to a proposed marriage is required to complete a marriage notice form.  As we are having a religious ceremony we also have to get the Officiant who is performing our marriage service to complete a section of the form. We have been advised to return the completed form with full birth certificates, passports and £30.  These forms should be returned 8 weeks prior to the marriage date however it is best that you complete these forms as early as possible to avoid any hold ups.

Remember everyone’s situation is different so to find out more check out the GRO website by using the link below.

http://www.groni.gov.uk/index/marriages.htm

Links to Ireland’s Wedding Sites

Northern Ireland’s wedding forums

http://www.niweddingforums.com

Ireland’s online wedding guide

http://www.bookourwedding.com