Civil Marriages

Civil Marriage Ceremonies

From 5pm on 15 February 2022, all COVID-19 restrictions were removed in Northern Ireland and any remaining measures are issued as guidance. Taking into account this change, the following applies:

There are no restrictions on the numbers attending marriage and civil partnership ceremonies in approved venues or private dwellings.
Although there is no longer a requirement to wear a face covering in enclosed public areas, the wearing of face coverings is strongly encouraged.
Marriage or civil partnership ceremonies can take place in a person’s home if one of the parties is terminally ill – there is no restriction on the number of people in attendance.

General Information

Civil Marriage Ceremonies are conducted by the Registrar and take place in the designated Office venues or in another venue which has been licensed for Marriage ceremonies. See: Approved Places for Civil Marriages.

Documents Needed to Get Married

Before you can get married, you and your partner need to complete a marriage notice form and produce essential documents.

Download marriage notice form: More Information: www.nidirect.gov.uk/gro

The following documents must be provided by both you and your partner when returning your marriage notice forms:

your full (long version) birth certificate
your passport or national identity card - the Registrar can advise on alternatives if you do not hold either of these
a consent form (if you are aged 16 or 17.
if you have been married before and the marriage was dissolved, a certificate of divorce or annulment or a certified copy decree (decrees must be absolute or final)
if you have entered into a civil partnership before, a court order of dissolution for that partnership
if you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner, the death certificate of your former spouse or civil partner.

All documents must be in English otherwise a translated copy must also be provided.

Email Notice forms and relevant documents to registration@nmandd.org or post notice forms and photocopied documents to the Registration Department at Newry Town Hall, Bank Parade, Newry, BT35 6HR or Downshire Civic Centre, Ardglass Road, Downpatrick, BT30 6GQ.

Please do not post original documents. Payment can be made by cheque, payable to Newry Mourne and Down District Council, or card payment by phoning 033 0137 4041.

If you need any advice in relation to your wedding, please email registration@nmandd.org or telephone 033 0137 4041

If you are a non-EEA citizen, please read NIDirect’s Information on getting married in Northern Ireland for further information on the requirements.

Marriage Fees

Please call us on 0330 137 4041 or email us at registration@nmandd.org to enquire about fees for your Civil Marriage or Civil Partnership Ceremony.

Legal Requirements

To marry in Northern Ireland, you and your partner must be:

aged 18 or above on the day of your wedding (consent is needed if either of you is aged 16 or 17)
unrelated to one another in a way that would prevent you from getting married
free to marry, for example, neither of you is already legally married or in a civil partnership to someone
capable of understanding the nature of a marriage ceremony and of consenting to the marriage.

Contact Details

Email: registration@nmandd.org

Telephone: 0330 137 4041