What is a special licence?
This facility provides for a marriage or civil partnership to take place where one of the parties is terminally or seriously ill and not expected to recover, and therefore cannot be moved to a place where the marriage or civil partnership would normally take place.
The marriage may be by civil or religious ceremony, excepting Church of England or Church in Wales, where the parties to the marriage must apply to the Archbishop of Canterbury for a special licence.
How do I apply?
No residential qualification is necessary for either party, but a notice of marriage or civil partnership must be given by one of the parties to the Superintendent Registrar of the district where it is to take place, where the terminally ill person is cared for. Medical evidence of the sick person’s condition and their capacity to understand the nature and purport of the ceremony will be required.
Both parties must be legally free to marry or sign the civil partnership register, and normal evidence in respect of name, age, and marital/civil partnered status will be required.
How long does it take?
There is no waiting period for the grant of the Registrar General’s Licence and once it is granted the marriage or civil partnership can take place at any time, either day or night, but within one month of the granting of the licence.
Who carries out the ceremony?
If the marriage is to be a civil ceremony, both the Superintendent Registrar and Registrar must attend, to perform and register the marriage. If it is by religious ceremony, other than by Church of England or Church in Wales, a Registrar must attend to register the marriage.
Civil Partnerships - The same regulations apply except only one registration officer is required and Civil Partnerships can only be conducted by civil procedures.
More information
You must contact the Superintendent Registrar in the district where the marriage or civil partnership is to take place to apply for the licence.
