Giving Notice of Marriage:
You may not give Notice of Marriage more than three months before the ceremony, but it is recommended that you contact the Registry team at the Greffe as soon as possible after you have decided to be married so that you can be advised on the type of Notice of Marriage that will be appropriate to your circumstances and so that a provisional date and time for it can be arranged. When giving Notice of Marriage, both parties to the marriage must visit the Office of HM Greffier at the Royal Court in person.
Note: You must make an appointment to give Notice of Marriage by contacting the Registry team by telephone.
For the Notice of Marriage, each party to the marriage will need to provide the following information:
Marriage Ceremony:
Civil marriages can take place at the Royal Court, at St James Concert and Assembly Hall or, in the case of local residents, at any private house (for which a Special Licence will be issued). The marriage room at the Royal Court will accommodate approximately 25 people. Greater capacity is available at St James Concert and Assembly Hall.
Whether you are marrying in a religious or a civil ceremony, you must ensure that two witnesses, aged 18 or over, attend your ceremony and sign the marriage register.
Each party will need to provide their full birth certificate and, if married before, a copy of the Final Order of Divorce (Decree Absolute) or a copy of the death certificate of their spouse.
H.M. Greffier, The Royal Court House, St Peter Port, GY1 2NZ
Telephone: +44 (0) 1481 725277
Fax: +44 (0) 1481 715097
Email: hmgreffier@guernseyroyalcourt.gg
H.M. Sheriff and H.M. Sergeant, The Royal Court House, St Peter Port, GY1 2NZ
Telephone: +44 (0) 1481 711281
Fax: +44 (0) 1481 710052
Email: hmsheriff@guernseyroyalcourt.gg
The Royal Court building is open from 8.45am till 5pm.
The public counters of H.M. Greffier and H.M. Sheriff are open on weekdays between 9am and 4pm.
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Civil Marriages and Non Church of England Marriages: You will need to apply for a licence or a special licence issued at the Registrar-General's Office. The circumstances under which a certificate, a licence or a special licence are needed will vary, but depend largely on your period of residence in Guernsey. Get in touch with the Registry team at the Office of HM Greffier to know more.
If you are not ordinarily resident in Guernsey, but intend to get married in the Island, you will also need to contact the Registry Team at the Office of HM Greffier.
Notice of Marriage:
You can get married in Guernsey either by holding a religious ceremony or a civil one.
To those who are intending to get married in a church of the Church of England, no reference to the Registrar-General at the Greffe is required. The minister of the Church who will be officiating the ceremony will be the one making all arrangements. You may contact the Ecclesiastical Court in case you have any question. After your marriage has taken place, the minister will notify the Registrar-General of your marriage.
If you would like to get married in a civil ceremony or in a non-Church of England church, the first thing that you must do is obtain a licence from the Registrar-General.
Her Majesty's Greffier is the Registrar-General of births, deaths and marriages and is authorised to licence and supervise civil marriages.
The Registry team at the Greffe duties includes:
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9am and 4pm.
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