Booking system availability
From Tuesday 16 April to Wednesday 1 May, no new ceremony bookings can take place and no payments for existing bookings can be made. This is because of the introduction of a new booking system.
Get married or form a civil partnership
Everything you need to get married or form a civil partnership in Essex. Includes booking a registrar, a venue and giving notice.
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You can get married or form a civil partnership in the Essex Register Office in Chelmsford. The Register Office is only available on Mondays and Thursdays. This does not include bank holidays.
We are accepting new bookings for ceremonies of marriage and civil partnership formations up to one year in advance
Attendees
Until 31 October 2024 the maximum attendance at Essex Register Office ceremonies is 12 people. This includes the couple and two witnesses, plus eight other guests.
From 1 November 2024 we will no longer be offering the current statutory ceremony package. It will be replaced with You Plus Two. This is an intimate ceremony for just the couple and their two witnesses.
Fees
It costs £68 to get married or form a civil partnership in the Essex Register Office.
This includes £22 for two marriage or civil partnership certificates.
This must be paid in full at the time of booking.
Plan your ceremony
There are certain legal things that have to happen in advance of your ceremony.
You must give your notice of marriage or civil partnership and book a registrar before completing your ceremony planner.
After you've booked your registrar and given notice, you can use our Essex Register Office ceremony planner (docx, 53.03kB) to make your special day go smoothly.
You need to fill this in and email it to registration@essex.gov.uk ideally at least 10 weeks before your ceremony. If you miss this date please still send it in and we will check your choices as quickly as we can.