Arranging a marriage or civil partnership
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COVID-19 impact on this service
Following the latest government announcement, we are pleased to announce that the government have provided a roadmap detailing when ceremonies can begin again.
Our governing body, the General Register Office have confirmed the following capacities:
- From 29 March, up to 6 people
- From 12 April, up to 15 people
- From 17 May, up to 30 people
- From 21 June, no restrictions on numbers.
These steps are subject to tests to ensure it will be safe to ease restrictions on these dates.
Our room capacities are still subject to social distancing measures being in place.
Unfortunately, ceremonies booked for before the 29 March will also need to be cancelled.
We are in the process of contacting couples who have had their ceremonies cancelled or postponed previously, these couples are welcome to call us on 020 8359 2074 to discuss further.
For couples wishing to make a new booking, we will be open to take new bookings from 8 March 2021, for ceremonies to take place from 1 May 2021.
Cancelling or rescheduling your ceremony due to COVID-19
The Coronavirus pandemic has not ended, the virus is still present in the population.
It may be necessary to cancel and/or reschedule ceremonies at short notice due to changes in government restrictions, local lockdowns or the need for our staff to self-isolate.
We will contact any affected customers as soon as possible if there are any changes to service provision.
By booking during the pandemic, you agree that you understand and accept the risk of late notice cancellations and/or rescheduling. We aim to give customers as much notice as possible.
If you have a ceremony booked, you will have the option of being contacted at a later date to reschedule, or receive a full refund including the non-refundable booking fee.
If you cancel your ceremony, you will receive a refund minus the booking fee.
Giving notice
We recommend that you contact the Register Office at Hendon Town Hall, or licensed venue where you want to have your ceremony, to check availability before your notice of marriage or civil partnership.
Most Register Offices or licenced venues will accept a provisional booking up to 12 months in advance of your wedding or civil partnership.
We have approved premises for marriage and civil partnership ceremonies in Barnet
At a civil ceremony
On the day of your marriage or civil partnership ceremony a registrar will take you into the marriage room to check the information on the marriage authorities or civil partnership schedule, to make sure the details about you are correct and up to date.
You can be interviewed together or separately, please let us know in advance which you prefer. The Registrar will then invite your guests into the marriage room and the Superintendent Registrar will conduct the ceremony.
You must exchange some formal wording if you are getting married or forming a civil partnership.
Civil ceremonies can include exchanging rings, readings, songs or music, but must not include anything that’s religious. For example; hymns or readings from the Bible.
We have a number of civil ceremony scripts available to chose from. You can discuss this and any other wording you want with us prior to the date of the ceremony.
Copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate
You can buy a copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate. Certificates cost £11 and can be pre-ordered before your ceremony.
The Civil Partnerships (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 approved
The Civil Partnerships (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019, which extend eligibility for forming civil partnerships to opposite sex couples, were approved in Parliament and made on 5 November 2019. The regulations will come into force on 2 December 2019.
This means that any opposite-sex couple wishing to form a civil partnership can give notice from 2 December 2019, allowing for the civil partnership to be formed from 31 December 2019.
Contact
Barnet Register Office
Hendon Town Hall
The Burroughs
London
NW4 4BG
Telephone: 020 8359 6400
Opening hours
Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm