Getting Married in Jersey
Getting married? Where? The choice is yours
It is very important that as soon as possible after a couple decide to get married they make a decision about where the marriage ceremony is to take place and the date which is most suitable to them. Other couples could be considering the same place and venue.
Arranging a civil marriage
In order for the civil ceremony to be held in either the Register Office or an approved premises, a marriage licence must be obtained from the Superintendent Registrar. People living in the Island should, having decided on the date of their marriage, call at the Register Office to make a booking in the diary.
People living outside the Island should, having made their bookings and travel arrangements, write to the Superintendent Registrar informing him of the date, time and place that they wish to marry. At this time they will be required to pay the booking fee. The couple will receive a receipt fo r their payment and a Notice of Marriage form which they must complete and return to the Register Office about one month before the date of their marriage. The Notice of Marriage form must arrive at the Register Office not later than ten working days before the date of the marriage. The Notice of Marriage form must be signed by one of the parties to the marriage and be accompanied by the following documents: full birth certificates showing details of parents; and if previously married either a Divorce Decree Absolute, or if widowed, the death certificate of the late spouse.
All documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by an officially certified translation into the English language. Those who have changed their name by deed poll or statutory declaration must send a copy of that document.
Upon receipt of the Notice of Marriage Form and fee, the Superintendent Registrar will enter the details into the Announcements of Marriage Book and display the names of both parties to the marriage on the notice board outside his office for a minimum of seven clear days following which a licence may be issued.
The parties to the marriage must present themselves at the Office of the Superintendent Registrar no fewer than three working days prior to the marriage to collect the marriage licence and to complete the formalities.
The marriage may then take place no sooner than the following day and no longer than 14 days after the issue of the licence.
Arranging a church wedding
First, approach the minister or priest of the church. If it is an Anglican church, the marriage will be celebrated either by Banns or by Licence of the Dean. All arrangements will have to be made through the Church of England.
The rector or vicar will advise on the procedures that have to be followed. As the couple could be marrying outside of their parish, they may be required to attend public worship at the church 'regularly'.
For a marriage in a church of any other denomination the couple will, having seen the minister or priest of the church, have to call on the Superintendent Registrar to arrange for their marriage licence. They will be required to produce their full birth certificates with details of parents recorded on them. If either of them have previously been married they must produce their Divorce Decree Absolute, or if widowed the death certificate of the late spouse.
Minors wishing to marry
People under the age of 16 are not allowed to marry. Those under the age of 18 years will require the written consent of both parents or guardians before a marriage licence may be issued. If the parents or guardians live in Jersey, their consent must be given in the presence of the Superintendent Registrar. If they live outside the Island, their consent must be given on a form provided by the Superintendent Registrar.
Non-British citizens wishing to marry
Where one or both parties to the marriage are not United Kingdom citizens, they should make sure that the laws in their own country are observed, to ensure that any marriage contracted in Jersey is recognisd. The advice of the consul for their own country should be sought.
Citizens from outside the European Economic Area who wish to marry a British Citizen should ensure that their immigration status permits them to marry. They should also check that they have the necessary immigration clearance before coming to Jersey.
All such people should contact the Customs and Immigration Department at Maritime House, La Route du Port Elizabeth, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 1JD.
Recognition of foreign divorces
A divorce decree issued outside the United Kingdom is only recognised in Jersey if, at the date of the institution of the divorce proceedings in the country in which it was obtained, either spouse was habitually resident in, or if that country uses domicile as a ground of jurisdiction in matters of divorce, domiciled in that country, or was a national of that country; or if the divorce is recognised as valid in the country of the spouse domicile.
Fees
Where notice is given in person, the fees and charges payable in respect of a civil marriage in the Register Office are £175.00. For a marriage in approved premises the fees are £185.00, and for a marriage in a non-Anglican church the fees are £115.00. Additional charges may be made by the church or the approved premises.
Where an application is made by post, the total fees and charges amount to £255.00 for a civil marriage in the Register Office and £265.00 for a civil marriage in approved premises. For a marriage in a non-Anglican church the fees are £195.00. Again, additional charges may be made by the church or the approved premises.
All fees and charges are subject to regular increases. Cheques should be made payable to The Treasurer of the States and be in pounds sterling, drawn on a British bank.
Times
Marriages may take place in the Island between the hours of 8.00am and 7.00pm.
The Register Office is available for marriages of non-residents from Monday to Friday between the hours of 10.00am and 1.00pm. Half an hour is allocated for each marriage.
The Register Office is closed on Sundays and all public holidays. All marriages in the Register Office take place at the discretion of the Superintendent Registrar.
Marriage in non-Anglican churches take place at the discretion of the minister or priest of the church concerned, and marriages in approved premises take place at the discretion of the management of the premises concerned.
