About the system
On Tuesday 4 May 2021 the way in which weddings are registered changed with the implementation of the Marriage Schedule System. The system will move away from the current paper marriage register to registration in an electronic register.
The changes will apply to all weddings in England and Wales regardless of where the wedding is held (i.e. Register Office, church, religious premise, or approved premise).
The Marriage Register
- Couples will no longer be invited to sign a marriage register.
- The register will be replaced with a Marriage Schedule, which is an A4 document which will be signed by the officiants, the couple, and their witnesses.
- After the ceremony the information contained in the Schedule will be entered into an electronic register.
The Marriage Certificate
Couples will not receive a marriage certificate on the day of the marriage. These will be processed in a specified timescale by the Registration Office in business hours for collection/postage in line with the couple’s choice.
Parents’ details
The electronic register will allow for the names of up to four parents (mother/father/parent/step-parent) for each partner to be included in the marriage entry and on marriage certificates, instead of only fathers' names as is currently the case.
Ceremony choices
The changes outlined above will not affect your ceremony choices so your ceremony can go ahead as planned.
You will be provided with more details at the time you give your notice of marriage.