You can marry in a Church of England church if you can show that one of you:
- has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months, or
- was baptised (christened) in the parish concerned, or
- is confirmed and your confirmation was entered in the register of confirmations for a church or chapel in the parish (this will usually be the case if you were prepared for confirmation in the parish), or
- has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
Or
That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:
- has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months, or
- has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
Or
That one of your parents or grandparents:
- was married in the parish
And did you know that if you move house, you’re immediately connected to the church there? That means you can marry in the church of your new parish.
In all cases involving church services – i.e. going to normal church services, baptism, confirmation or marriage – this applies only to Church of England services.
If you cannot demonstrate any of the above connections, you could create one, simply by attending your chosen church’s usual services at least once a month for six consecutive months. If you decide to do this, leave enough time after your attendance for the banns to be read before your wedding too – about another two months should be enough.
Talk to the Vicar there well in advance to discuss the options open to you.
Please note:
Habitual worship would mean at least once a month. The period of six months begins on the day a person first attends a service and is not completed until six months after that date. So, for instance, if a person first attended worship in St Mary, Almeley on (say) Sunday 8th January, the qualifying period would not be complete until they had worshipped in St Mary, Almeley at least once a month in every succeeding month up to and including Sunday 8th July. They would then have to leave at least four weeks for banns to be read. ‘
Even if you cannot demonstrate any of the above connections, we want to help you explore whether it may still be possible for you to marry in your special church.
Talk to our Vicar well in advance to discuss the options open to you.