Getting Married In Guernsey

Getting married represents a spiritual bond of trust between two people, and what better place to consecrate your love than in beautiful Guernsey?

Marriages in Guernsey may take place by either civil or religious ceremony, the former of which requires you to obtain a license from the Registrar General. All marriages must be witnessed by at least two people of 18 years or older, who will be required to attend the ceremony and sign the marriage register.

Civil Marriages

In Guernsey, civil marriages must be consecrated on either authority of a certificate, a traditional license, or by special license issued by the Registrar General. They may take place at either the St. James Assembly Hall or the Office of the Registrar General (The Greffe, Royal Court House).

The marriage room at The Greffe accommodates about fifteen people, whereas St. James Assembly Hall is more ideal for a larger crowd. Details on specific fees/facilities can be obtained by calling (01481) 711360. Should you choose to marry at St. James, notice must also be given to The Greffe for administrative purposes.

Once you have made the decision to wed, one of you will be expected to give notice in person to the Registrar General at The Greffe. Though only one person is required for this, it is recommended that both attend in order to answer all of the questions you may have without needing to return.

You may give formal notice of your marriage to the Office of the Registrar General no more than three months prior to the intended date, though are encouraged to contact them upon making the decision to wed regardless of whether or not you’ve decided on a time. This way, you can be counseled on the most appropriate way to give notice based on your personal circumstances.

When giving notice to the Registrar General, you must provide the following details of both parties: Surname/given names, age, marital status, rank, state or profession, residence, length of residence, name/profession of father, and full birth certificate.

Getting Married In Guernsey

Notice By Certificate

Submitting a certificate is the most traditional way to give notice of your intended wedding. The person who submits the certificate must have been residing in Guernsey for a minimum of seven days immediately leading up to the day that notice is given. Once content that you have met the proper requirements, the Registrar General will officially record that you have given notice, then authorize your certificate to solemnise your marriage after a 21-day waiting period. During this time, a copy of your notice will be displayed at The Greffe in the Registrar General’s office.

License Marriages

As with a certificate, being married by license requires that the person giving notice must have been residing in Guernsey for at least seven days immediately preceding the day that notice is given. Unlike with a certificate, however, the license authorizing your marriage to be solemnised will only take seven days to process (as opposed to 21) from the time your notice is given. For this reason, marriage by license is typically more convenient for non-residents of Guernsey who still wish to be married here.

Once a certificate or license is issued, your marriage may be solemnised at St. James Assembly Hall, a Royal Court-approved place of worship licensed for marriages, or the Office of the Registrar General.

Special License Marriages

Giving notice to get married by special license required the person submitting it to have been residing in Guernsey for no less than one month immediately preceding the submission date. After one working day has passed, a special license will be issued. Following this, your marriage may be solemnised at St. James Assembly Hall, a Royal Court-approved place of worship licensed for marriages, or the Office of the Registrar General.

If for any reason one of you is in a nursing home or hospital, a special license may be granted, allowing your marriage to be solemnised in the respective institution. In this case, however, the Registrar General will require a medical certificate confirming that you are unable follow typical marriage procedures due to ill health.

In all cases (certificate, license & special license), your marriage must take place between the issue of your certificate/license and three months from the date your notice was entered in the Registrar’s notice book. Failure to comply with this rule will require you to go through the notification process again.

Getting Married In Guernsey Non-Residents of Guernsey

If you are not a resident of Guernsey, you should contact the Registrar General regarding the procedures applicable to you based on your country of citizenship. You should also provide a certificate of no impediment which confirms that you are free to be wed to the other party. This certificate should be obtained from the Registrar in the district where you are typically resident. If you reside in another country, the Registrar General may require you to sign an affidavit verifying your marital status/identity, then request documents such as your Passport and/or birth certificate.

Church Of England Marriages

Being wed under the Church of England in Guernsey does not require you to give notice to the Registrar General. All arrangements will be made by the minister of the Church in question, including giving notice to the proper Governmental authorities.

You are not obligated to be a regular church attendee in order to be married under the Church of England, however it is recommended that you consult with your parish Priest before doing so.

Getting married in Guernsey...it's a beautiful thing!

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