Urgent marriage or civil partnership

The Registrar General can authorise marriages and civil partnerships to take place at short notice.

This is in circumstances where one of the parties:

  • is seriously ill and not expected to recover
  • cannot be moved to a place where a marriage or civil partnership could normally take place

This is known as a marriage or civil partnership by Registrar Generals Licence.

Arrange an urgent marriage or civil partnership

A service is available for urgent arrangements to be made for marriages or civil partnerships by Registrar General's Licence.

You'll need to provide:

  • detailed information as to your circumstances
  • documentary evidence to support your request

The service can be accessed by contacting us on email: ceremonies@york.gov.uk, or telephone: 01904 553190.

Outside normal opening hours you can contact us on our emergency number, telephone: 07786 747859. This is available between 10.00am and 1.00pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, excluding Christmas Day.

Please note, the outside of hours emergency number is only to be used for urgent circumstances. Any non-urgent enquiries will not be dealt with, and you will be asked to contact us through our normal processes.

Weddings