FAQs - Getting Married in the Church of England

By Kate

Who can get married in church?

Q Do I have to be baptised or a member of the church to be married in church?

A No, provided you are both British and resident in this country, and one or both of you are not divorcees with your previous partner still living, you can be married in your local parish church.

Q My fiancé/e is not British, can we have a church wedding?

A Yes, but if they come from a country outside the EU, the Commonwealth or USA, you will need to apply for a Common Licence, even if they are resident in England.

Q We are living abroad, but want to come back to England to be married. Is that possible?

A Yes, but you will need to apply for a Common Licence.

Q Who can get married by a Common Licence?

A A Common Licence (also known as a Bishop's or Surrogate's Licence) can be obtained to allow a couple to marry in a parish where one of them is temporarily resident. The legal requirement is that one of you is resident in that parish for 15 days prior to applying for the licence which is then valid for three months. It is not legally acceptable to provide a false address or take any other steps to avoid actual residency in that parish. The licence is issued by and at the discretion of the local diocesan bishop and the minister of the parish should be able to tell you how to go about it. This licence is also required if one of you does not have British nationality or does, but is not normally resident in England. At least one of you must be baptised and the other must at least be willing to state their desire to be married in church and that he or she does not reject the Christian faith. Banns are not required.

Q What is a Special Licence?

A These licences are normally only issued under very special circumstances to allow your marriage in a parish where you cannot fulfil your residency requirement, (that is fully resident, on the electoral role or resident for 15 days as in applying for a Common Licence). You will also need the support of the minister of the parish. At least one of you must be baptised and the other must at least be willing to state their desire to be married in church and that he or she does not reject the Christian faith. Banns are not required.

For more information contact: Registrar of the Faculty Office, 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3JT

Q I'm a Roman Catholic and my fiancé is Anglican. Can we get married in his local Anglican church?

A That shouldn't be a problem, but your banns will have to be called in your local Anglican parish church as well as in your fiance's parish. You, however, may be expected by your church to seek permission from your Bishop. You can check with your parish priest. Your priest cannot take the service for you in the Anglican church, but the Anglican minister may agree to him taking some part in the service if you wish. If you want more advice on your situation why not check with the Association of Interchurch Families, Inter-Church House, 35-41 Lower Marsh St, London SE1 7RL.

Q My fiancé/e is divorced. Can we get married in church?

A At the time of writing, the existing regulations of the Church of England do not allow couples to marry where one of them is a divorced person with their previous marriage partner still living. However, some clergy are still willing to do so, in their capacity under civil law. The minister of the parish has the final say and there is no grounds for appeal. He can also refuse you the use of his church for marriage by another more sympathetic minister. Furthermore you can't get common and special licences to get married somewhere else in these circumstances. The situation around the marriage of divorcees is often reviewed by the governing body of the Church of England, and any changes in the regulations will almost certainly be well publicised in the press. If you wish for a church service, some ministers offer a service of prayer and dedication or blessing after a civil ceremony.