Book and pay for a registrar
For your wedding or civil partnership to be legal, you need to have a registrar present.
Once you've booked your venue, you can book a registrar. You can do this up to two years before your ceremony at an approved venue or community venue or one year before your ceremony at the Essex Register Office.
It’s a good idea to do this as early as possible to make sure a registrar is available on the date you have in mind.
If you’re getting married or forming a civil partnership in the Essex Register Office, a registrar is included when you book your ceremony.
Some religious venues will provide their own registrars, but you should check this with them.
To book a registrar, call 0345 603 7632
Fees and deposits
Different deposits will be required depending on how long there is until your wedding and if you are booking a ceremony in:
- an approved premises
- a community venue
- a religious building
- the Essex Register Office
Making changes to your booking
Once you have booked, there will be a £50 administration charge for any changes to your ceremony:
- date
- time
- venue
- type
Fee changes
Our locally set fees are subject to change on 1 April each year. Statutory fees changes can take place at any time. As we take bookings in advance, the fee could change between the time of booking and the date of your ceremony. We reserve the right to pass on any fee increases to you.
Ceremonies in approved premises
If you book more than 6 months before your ceremony date, a non-refundable deposit will be required. The deposit will be equal to half of the full ceremony fee.
If your ceremony date is less than 6 months away, full payment will be required at the time of booking. Half of this fee will be a non-refundable deposit.
If your ceremony is less than 56 days away there will be an additional £100 administration charge.
If your ceremony time is after 5pm, there will be an additional £100 charge Monday to Saturday, and £160 charge for Sundays and Bank Holidays.
| Day | 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026 | 1 April 2026 - 31 March 2027 | 1 April 2027 - 31 March 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | £720 | £740 | £760 |
| Friday | £735 | £760 | £780 |
| Saturday | £765 | £790 | £815 |
| Sunday, Bank or Public Holiday | £785 | £810 | £835 |
In addition to the fees above, £25 is also payable for two marriage certificates.
Ceremonies in community venues
If you book more than 6 months before your ceremony date, a non-refundable deposit will be required. The deposit will be equal to half of the full ceremony fee. These fees include VAT.
If your ceremony date is less than 6 months away, full payment will be required at the time of booking. Half of this fee will be a non-refundable deposit.
If your ceremony is less than 56 days away there will be an additional £100 administration charge.
| Day | 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026 | 1 April 2026 - 31 March 2027 | 1 April 2027 - 31 March 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | £260 | £270 | £280 |
| Friday | £355 | £365 | £375 |
| Saturday morning | £445 | £460 | £475 |
In addition to the fees above, £25 is also payable for two marriage certificates.
Religious building
Registrar attendance at a religious building is £104.
£25 is payable in addition for two marriage certificates.
Religious ceremonies must be paid in full when you book.
Essex Register Office
The fee for a marriage or civil partnership is £56.
£25 is payable in addition for two marriage certificates.
The fee must be paid in full when you book.