By law, you must give notice of your marriage or civil partnership in person at a register office before it can take place. It costs £35 per person to give notice of marriage or civil partnership. From 28 May 2024 a standard notice will cost £42 per person. This fee is increased to £57 per person if either notice requires a referral to the Home Office. 

You must give notice at least 29 days before your wedding. 

Appointments

Before you attend

Find out which documents you need to bring to your appointment.

Who can attend

Only you and your partner, if they are giving notice too, may attend the appointment.

No one else, including children, will be allowed into the building.

When you arrive

Please arrive no more than 5 minutes before your appointment and ring the doorbell or let the receptionist know that you have arrived

If you live outside of the Dorset Council area

If you live outside of the Dorset Council area, you must give notice of marriage or civil partnership at your local register office. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are not in the Dorset Council area.

Contact us to book an appointment

Dorset Register Office, Dorchester

Email: registrars@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01305 225153
Full contact details