Getting Married

If you are looking for a romantic island setting for your wedding Jersey should definitely be on your list. No need to travel as far a field as the Caribbean or the Seychelles – here is an island within easy reach of the UK and mainland Europe with beautiful beaches, quiet country lanes, good food and more sunshine hours than anywhere else in the British Isles.

It is the ideal venue for the ‘away from it all’ wedding just for the two of you, or if you want to celebrate with family and friends.

The island’s marriage laws mean that it is easy for couples to marry in Jersey. Wedding applications can be made by post and once the paperwork is completed you need only to arrive three working days before the planned wedding date to complete formalities and collect the marriage licence. Even if you arrive without having made a postal application you can get married just ten days after presenting all your documentation to the Superintendent Registrar.

After the wedding you can relax and enjoy your honeymoon without having to spend precious time travelling to another destination.

Getting married in Jersey

In order for a civil ceremony to be held in either the Registry Office, Approved Premises or in a non-Anglican Church, a licence must be obtained from the Superintendent Registrar. The Office of the Superintendent Registrar will provide information on all the documentation needed with details of fees and charges.

The Registry Office is available for marriages of non-residents from Monday to Friday between the hours of 10.00am and 1.00pm. Half an hour is allocated for each marriage.

People living outside the Island should, having made their bookings and travel arrangements, write to the Superintendent Registrar informing him of the date, time and place that they wish to marry. At this time they will be required to pay the booking fee. The couple will receive a receipt for their payment and a Notice of Marriage form which they must complete and return to the Register Office about one month before the date of their marriage. The Notice of Marriage form must arrive at the Register Office not later than ten working days before the date of the marriage. The Notice of Marriage form must be signed by one of the parties to the marriage and be accompanied by the following documents: full birth certificates showing details of parents; and if previously married either a Divorce Decree Absolute, or if widowed, the death certificate of the late spouse.

All documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by an officially certified translation into the English language. Those who have changed their name by deed poll or statutory declaration must send a copy of that document.

Upon receipt of the Notice of Marriage Form and fee, the Superintendent Registrar will enter the details into the Announcements of Marriage Book and display the names of both parties to the marriage on the notice board outside his office for a minimum of seven clear days following which a licence may be issued.

The parties to the marriage must present themselves at the Office of the Superintendent Registrar no fewer than three working days prior to the marriage to collect the marriage licence and to complete the formalities. The marriage may then take place no sooner than the following day and no longer than 14 days after the issue of the licence.

You must both be over sixteen, but if you are under the age of twenty you will need written consent from parents or a guardian.

Approved Premises

Couples can marry at 'premises' approved by the Constable of each of the islands' twelve parishes. These premises include Jersey's castles, heritage sites, manor houses, many of the islands' hotels and various other venues.

Couples wishing to marry in approved premises will need to make their own arrangements with the management.

Marriage in approved premises will be celebrated either by the Superintendent Registrar, his deptuies or his delegates. It is the responsibility of the management of the approved premises to ensure that there is a delegate available to celebrate their marriage. Couples may request a particular delegate to celebrate their marriage with the agreement of the Superintendent Registrar and the management of the approved premises.

Couples may have a ceremony of their choice provided that at some stage of the ceremony they make the declarations stipulated in Article 20 of the law and that no religious service is being used during the civil marriage. Couples may wish to have music or non religious readings such as poetry and should consult the Superintendent Registrar of their desired format and on the music and readings that would be available.

Fees

For marriages in the Register Office:

For marriages in Approved Premises:
(additional charges may be made by the Church or the Approved Premises)

For all marriages in a Church or Registered Building:
(additional charges may be made by the Church or the Approved Premises)

£45

All fees and charges are subject to regular increases. Cheques should be made payable to 'The Treasurer of the States' and be in pounds Sterling drawn on a British Bank.

Superintendent Registrar

Superintendent Registrar
10 Royal Square, St Helier,
JE2 4WA.
Tel: +44 (0)1534 441335
Fax: +44 (0) 1534 832220
http://www.gov.je/HomeAffairs/Registrar

Opening Hours: 09:00 - 12.30   Monday to Friday