Marriage/Civil Partnerships - Arrangement and Ceremony

Civil marriages can take place at either the Register Office, Barnsley Town Hall, or at any of the approved premises around the Borough.  All adults who are not already married under United Kingdom law can be married.

You can make arrangements to be married at the Town Hall or at one of the 'Approved Premises' by contacting the Register Office or the approved premises you are considering for your marriage ceremony.

Getting Married at Barnsley Register Office

If you wish to marry at Barnsley Register Office, it is advisable to first telephone the Superintendent Registrar and make a provisional booking for your marriage. As long as you are both free to marry a provisional marriage booking can be made up to two years in advance of when you want to get married. The Superintendent Registrar will advise you of any legal preliminaries required and any documentation you will need to produce when you both give your marriage notices. Marriage notices must be given by both parties in the district in which they live. This cannot be done more than twelve months in advance of the marriage date. When the marriage notice/notices have been given, the provisional booking will be confirmed.

Getting Married at Approved Premises

It is possible to marry in any approved premises in England or Wales. Approved Premises are buildings which have been licensed, by the local authority, for marriages to take place. To arrange a marriage at an Approved Premise, it is advisable to first contact the venue to make a provisional booking. You must then contact the Register Office of the district in which the Approved Premises are located to ensure Registration Officers can attend your marriage. Once you have made a provisional booking, the Superintendent Registrar will provide advice and assistance about the legal preliminaries that need to be completed.

 List of Approved Premises in the Barnsley Registration District Available for Marriages and Civil Partnerships

Getting Married - Legal Requirements

It is currently a legal requirement that before you can get married in a Register Office or at one of the Approved Premises you must give notice of your intention to marry to the Superintendent Registrar in the District in which you live. This cannot be done more than one year in advance of the date or your marriage. If you wish to get married in a church or chapel (other than the Church of England) it is usually necessary to give notice of marriage at a Register Office. Contact your Minister or Superintendent Registrar for advice if you wish to marry in the Church of England. All arrangements should be made through the vicar.

What do I do if I Decide to get Married?

The Marriage Suite in Barnsley Town Hall provides an ideal setting for a Civil Marriage. The Town Hall is a listed building with an impressive large marble paved entrance hall and sweeping staircase (ideal for those important and memorable photographs).

However, the Local Register Office is no longer your only option when planning a civil ceremony. You can now choose to marry at any Register Office in England or Wales or you can marry at any of the Approved Premises. Barnsley has a number of Approved Premises including high grade country hotels, sports clubs, stately homes and country house museums and we are constantly looking to increase the choice by adding new venues.

The wedding ceremony is central to your special day. You can personalise it, in a number of ways. The Superintendent Registrar will be happy to help you do this by including readings, bridesmaids, your own choice of music (live or cd or cassette), songs, exchange of rings, poetry and video recording etc in the ceremony. Any choice of music, readings or poetry has to be non religious. Remember it is your day and we are there to make it special by providing a high standard of service and customer care.

The Register Office
Town Hall
Barnsley
S70 2TA
Location Map of Barnsley Town Hall

Tel: 01226 773085

E-mail: Registration Services