We’re getting married!
Well congratulations! How wonderful and exciting!
So, if that’s you, you probably want to know if you can be married here. So to help you work out if you can, as it’s a matter of Law, let’s see if we can steer you through the legalities! Any resident within the parish has the legal right to be married in the parish churches if they have no previous spouse living. In the case of divorcees whose previous spouse is still alive, the church may offer a Service of Blessing following a Civil Marriage. If neither of you live in the parish it is more complicated. From 1st October 2008 new rules came into force which allow certain non-residents also to have the legal right to a marriage in church. They are any who:-
• were baptised in the parish; or
• whose confirmation is recorded in the parish’s register; or
• have at any time lived in the parish for at least 6 months; or
• have at any time habitually attended the church for at least 6 months; or
• who have a parent who has at any time during the person's lifetime:-
o lived in the parish for at least 6 months; or
o habitually attended the church for at least 6 months;
o or whose parent or grandparent was married here.
If you apply under any of these categories (the ones above, with the dots) then you will need to provide written proof. If you can’t, it’s possible to swear an affidavit to the effect, so don’t panic! We hope that is helpful, but of course don't hesitate to call the office if you want to discuss any of the above.
If you are a foreign national and would like to get married at St John’s, please refer to the Home Office requirements http://www.ukba.homeoffice.
