Religious or Civil Ceremonies
You can get married in Guernsey by either religious or civil ceremony. In order to marry by civil ceremony or in a non-Church of England church a licence must be obtained from the Registrar General. For all marriages, you must ensure that two witnesses, both of whom must be over the age of 18 years, attend your ceremony and sign the marriage register.
CIVIL AND NON CHURCH OF ENGLAND MARRIAGES
The solemnisation of civil and non-Church of England marriages in the Island of Guernsey may take place only on authority of a certificate, a licence or a special licence of the Registrar General. Civil marriages can take place at either the Office of the Registrar General at The Greffe in the Royal Court House or at St. James Assembly Hall. Unless authorised by a special licence your marriage can only be solemnised between the hours of 8.00am and 3.00pm. Which means you may not marry on the beach.
Giving Notice
Only one of you is required to give notice of your marriage, in person, to the Registrar General at the Greffe, Royal Court House, St. Peter Port, Guernsey. However, it would be helpful if both of you could attend so the questions about both of you can be answered without the need to make another appointment. You cannot give formal notice more than three months prior to the date of your marriage, but you should contact the Office of the Registrar General at The Greffe as soon as possible after you have decided to be married, so you can be advised on the form of notice most appropriate to your circumstances, and (in the case of a marriage to be performed by a Registrar) so that a provisional date and time can be reserved. One of you must then attend at The Greffe to give formal notice of your marriage so that your reservation can be confirmed.
Marriage by Certificate
The usual method of giving notice of your marriage if you are resident in Guernsey is to give notice to get married by certificate. The person who gave notice must have resided in Guernsey for at least seven days immediately preceding the day on which notice of your marriage is given. When the Registrar is satisfied that all the requirements have been met, he will enter your notice in the notice book. Then after 21 clear days have elapsed, the Registrar will issue your certificate authorising your marriage to be solemnised. During the 21 day period a copy of your notice will be exhibited in the Office of the Registrar General at The Greffe.
Marriage by Licence
To be married by licence, the person who gave notice must have resided in Guernsey for at least seven days immediately preceding the day on which notice of marriage is given. After seven clear days from the day your notice was entered in the notice book, a licence authorising your marriage to be solemnised will be issued.
Marriage by licence is usually most convenient for non-residents. You could, for example, stay for eight days to establish residence and then give notice on the eighth day. You could then return for your marriage within three months. Alternatively, you could stay for 16 days, giving notice on the eighth day and then get married on the 16th day following your date of arrival in the Island.
Upon issue of either a certificate or licence, your marriage may be solemnised at the Office of the Registrar General (Monday to Friday commencing between 9am-12.30pm and 2pm-2.30pm, Saturday 10am-11.30am), at St. James Assembly Hall (Monday to Friday, 9am-12.30pm and 2pm-2.30pm) or in a place of worship licensed for marriages by the Royal Court. Please note, the Office of the General Registrar at the Greffe is open on alternate Saturday mornings.
If you wish to get married after 3pm (but no later than 4.30pm), you need to apply for a special licence (see next paragraph).
Marriage by Special Licence
If one of you is sick and confined to a hospital or nursing home, a special licence may be granted to enable your marriage to be solemnised in the institution where you are confined. Please note, the Registrar General will require a medical certificate confirming that you are unable to attend at the Greffe by reason of ill-health. You can also get married in your home by special licence if you live in either Guernsey, Alderney or Sark but your ceremony must take place before 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
To give notice to get married by special licence, the person giving notice must have resided in Guernsey for at least one month immediately preceding the day on which notice is given. Then after one clear day has elapsed (other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday) a special licence will be issued. Your marriage may then be solemnised in a private house or institution, at the discretion of the Registrar General.
In all cases, your marriage must proceed during the period between the issue of your certificate for marriage (or special licence) and three months from the date your notice was entered in the Registrar’s notice book, otherwise you will have to give notice again.
CHURCH OF ENGLAND MARRIAGES
If you wish to get married in a church of the Church of England in Guernsey, no reference to the Registrar General is needed. All arrangements are made by the minister of the church in which your ceremony is to take place. After your marriage has taken place, the minister will notify the Registrar General of your marriage. The procedures for getting married according to the rites of the Church of England are fully explained in our article on the legal requirements of Church of England marriages.
IF YOU ARE NOT A BRITISH CITIZEN
If you are not a British citizen, there may be laws in your own country which, if not observed, might render your marriage in Guernsey null and void. Therefore, the advice of your own consul or consular agent should be sought. In addition, you may well require the issue of an emigration entry clearance prior to travelling from abroad. You are therefore advised to make contact with the Chief Officer of Customs and Immigration, Immigration and Nationality Department, White Rock, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, British Isles, well in advance of seeking entry so that your case may be examined
DOCUMENTS TO BE PRODUCED
In order to give notice of your marriage, you must provide copies of your full birth certificates and sign a declaration that there is no legal impediment to your proposed marriage. You will also need to show documentary proof of your freedom to marry if either of you have been previously married. If you are a widow, you must produce your marriage certificate as well as your late husband's death certificate. If you are a widower, you need only produce your late wife's death certificate. If you have been divorced, you must produce a court sealed or certified copy of your decree absolute or final decree.
If either of you are not ordinarily resident in Guernsey you will need to provide a certificate of no impediment confirming that you are free to marry your partner. Application for such a certificate should be made to the Registrar in the district where you ordinarily reside. If any of your documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by officially certified translations in English.
If you are a non-resident of the Island, you are strongly advised to check with the Registrar General that your documents are satisfactory before you make your journey to the Island.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information and advice about getting married in Guernsey, please telephone the Office of the Registrar General on 0044 1481 725277. Alternatively, you can write to the Office of the Registrar General at The Greffe, Royal Court House, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2PB, Channel Islands. Always check with the Registrar General before booking your wedding, for up todate details and informantion.
