When the registrar is satisfied there is no legal impediment to the marriage, they will prepare a marriage schedule from the information that you have given. The schedule is the most important document - no marriage can proceed without it.

  • If the marriage is a civil ceremony, the registrar will have the schedule at the marriage ceremony for signing.

  • If you are having a religious or belief ceremony the marriage schedule will be issued to one of the parties to the marriage. The schedule cannot be issued more than 7 days before the marriage and the registrar will make an appointment for its collection.

  • The schedule must be produced to the person performing the marriage before the ceremony begins.

  • Immediately after the ceremony the schedule must be signed in black fountain pen, by both parties, by the person performing the marriage and by the 2 witnesses. Thereafter it must be returned to the registrar within 3 days so that the marriage can be registered.

The Marriage Certificate

Once the marriage schedule has been returned to the office, the marriage will then be registered and a marriage certificate will be posted to the requested address.