Registration and certificates

Marriages are no longer recorded in a marriage register at the end of a ceremony and legal certificates are not presented on the day.

Couples and their witnesses must sign a Marriage/Civil Partnership Schedule, or a Marriage Document if your ceremony takes place in a Church of England. You must then return these to the register office before you can obtain a legal certificate.

It’s important that you read all information recorded, including spellings, carefully before signing. Any requests to change or update information will be subject to a £99 charge. In some cases it will not be possible to change information recorded.

You will obtain a Marriage or Civil Partnership Schedule when you give notice at your local register office. If you are getting married in a Church of England, you will obtain the Marriage Document once your banns have been called.

On the day of your ceremony

For marriages taking place at a register office or approved venue, the Registrar will bring the Marriage or Civil Partnership Schedule to your ceremony and return it to the register office on your behalf.

For marriages taking place in a religious building, the Incumbent (Church of England), Authorised Person, Secretary of Synagogue or Society of Friends Registering Officer is responsible for returning the Marriage Schedule or Marriage Document to the register office within 21 days of the marriage.

However, with the couple's agreement, this task may be delegated to the couple themselves or another member of the wedding party.

Marriage and Civil Partnership Registration

All marriages and civil partnerships must be registered at the register office for the district where the event takes place. All marriages and civil partnerships that occur within the Liverpool city boundary will be registered at Liverpool Register Office.

If the marriage or civil partnership takes place outside the Liverpool city boundary, the Marriage/Civil Partnership Schedule or Marriage Document must be returned to the local register office covering that area.

The Marriage/Civil Partnership Schedule or Marriage Document cannot be used in place of a legal certificate.

Applying for your marriage or civil partnerships certificate

When we receive the Marriage/Civil Partnership Schedule or Marriage Document we will complete the registration.

• For marriages or civil partnerships at Liverpool Register Office or one of our approved venues you may order and pay for any certificates you require when paying your final balance to us.
• For marriages or civil partnerships in religious buildings, certificates are not automatically sent out to you after the registration has been completed. You should apply online for your certificate 7 days after the Register Office receives your Schedule or Document. Alternatively you can pay for certificates when delivering the Marriage or Civil Partnership Schedule or Marriage Document to the Register Office.

Certificates cost £12.50 each and you can pay by credit or debit card, cheque or postal order.

Liverpool Register Office
Visitor Centre Entrance
St George’s Hall
St George’s Place
L1 1JJ

View opening hours and how to find us.