If you have lost your marriage certificate, or need one for family history purposes, a replacement copy will help you. You can order a certified copy online.

If one chooses to marry, the marriage details are entered in the marriage register and signed by both parties, two witnesses, the person who conducted the ceremony and, if that person is not authorised to register marriages, the person who is registering the marriage. 

Marriage records are often created in a Register Office, which is the official term, however Registry Office is commonly used and recognised. The central office is called the General Register Office or also known as the GRO. The Register Office is the authority which should issue the certificate. This could be a local Register Office, for example, Manchester. However, the certificate could also be centrally issued, which means the certificate is issued by the General Register Office.

A marriage certificate contains the following:

• When, where and how married
• Name(s) and Surname in Full
• Occupation
• Marital Status
• Usual Residence
• Father’s Name(s)Surname and Occupation
• Mother’s Names(s) Surname(s) and Maiden Surname
• Officiating Minister or Registrar with Designation and Witnesses with Addresses

A stamp or seal indicates that UK marriage Certificates are suitable for official purposes. Certificates are issued on high grade paper, which contains a watermark, which is visible when the certificate is held up to light. For English and Welsh certificates, this watermark usually consists of a crown with the letters G.R.O. 

Should you wish to order a copy of your UK marriage certificate, the minimum information required is both parties’ names, the place of marriage and the year the marriage took place.

The most effective way to get the ball rolling on this, is for you to order online. Simply complete all the relevant fields on the order form and the order will be processed accordingly.

To find out more about our replacement marriage certificate service, click here.