The list of approved venues at which Derby Register Office staff can conduct marriage ceremonies is as follows:

For a venue to be included in our list you would need to apply for approval of the premises.

How to get your building approved for Civil Marriages

View the Marriages (approved premises) regulations 1995 -  16kb
Download the application form -  8kb

The fee for a three year licence is currently £1100. 

Under the provision of the Places of Worship Registration Act 1855, a congregation may apply for a building to be a certified building of worship. You must apply to the Superintendent Registrar in the district where the venue is situated. This excludes churches or chapels of the Church of England, unless it shares a church building with another religious denomination.

The person who acts as 'minister', 'proprietor' or 'Trustee' at the place of worship has to complete, in duplicate, two copies of form 76 - Download form 76-  12kb -should be sent to the Register Office with a sketch of the floor plan identifying the main buildings and internal communication within the buildings, such as rooms, doors and stairs. An average weekly timetable of uses will be required showing secular as well as religious activities. You should enclose with the forms a cheque or postal order made payable to Derby City Council for the statutory fee of £28.00.

Registering a place of religious worship for solemnization of marriage

You can apply for a place of worship to become a venue where marriages can take place. Form 78 should be completed. Download form 78 -  16kb. This should be dealt with if possible together with the original application for a place of worship. See link for Form 76 above. An application can only be requested after the date of certification of the building as a place of worship.

Form 78 requires signatures of 20 separate householders who say that the building is their usual place of worship and that they desire it to be registered for the solemnization for marriages. The Registrar General's office will also require a full copy of the marriage ceremony proposed showing exactly what the bride and groom will say to each other. A statutory fee of £120.00 is payable. Cheques or postal orders should be made payable to Derby City Council.

Once the information is received at Derby Register Office, the information will be sent to the General Register Office (GRO) for their authorisation.

Once the GRO certify a building for worship and marriage, the register office is required to advertise the new place of worship in the local newspaper. We will send the applicant the certificate stating it is now a place for worship and marriage and write to them confirming this once it has been approved.

If the place of worship is in disuse or another minister/proprietor takes over the place of worship, form 77 should be completed. The process outlined above for registering a place of worship would have to be conducted again. Re-registration is not required if the building is demolished and rebuilt.

Please contact us to request the required forms or for further information on this service by either Email registeroffice@derby.gov.ukor telephone the Superintendent Registrar on 01332 256527or Fax us on 01332 256525.

Civil Ceremonies

In partnership with Civil Ceremonies Ltd, Derby Register Office is able to offer a number of new ceremonies. These ceremonies are available for those persons who are resident in the city or have a strong Derby connection.

Renewal of Marriage Vows

This is a personal ceremony to renew your marriage vows, available to couples who wish to celebrate their renewed commitment to each other.

These ceremonies are available to all couples at whatever stage in their marriage. You may wish to celebrate a special wedding anniversary perhaps you married abroad and wish to renew your vows at home in front of friends and family. Whatever the occasion, contact the Superintendent Registrar for further information and bookings.

Your Comments

We are committed to improving the service that we give to our customers. As part of this we welcome your comments about any aspect of the service you have received at the Register Office. You can Email us at registeroffice@derby.gov.ukcontact the Superintendent Registrar on 01332 256527 or Fax us on 01332 256525.