To hold a civil marriage or partnership at premises in England or Wales, they must be approved by your local authority. You must be the proprietor or a trustee of the premises to apply for permission to hold civil marriages or partnerships.

What you need to know before you apply

Please read and understand the information contained in:

• the requirements for civil marriage and partnership premises;
• Surrey's terms and conditions for granting a licence;and
• the Code of Practice for the performance of civil marriage and partnership ceremonies

before making your application.

How to apply and the required documentation

You can either apply, pay and submit the necessary documentation online via the Gov.uk website (opens a new window) or do so in writing by downloading the form at the bottom of this page.

Please attach the following documents to your application:

• Cheque for the set fee, payable to Surrey County Council. Details of the set fees can be viewed via the charges for licensing premises for civil ceremonies webpage.
• Fire certificate
• Planning certificate (if appropriate)
• Three sets of plans of the premises indicating the proposed ceremony room(s) and interview rooms(s)
• List of names / address of company directors (if applicable)
• Confirmation of Public Liability Insurance
• Seating plan for each room to show maximum number of people permitted seated theatre style.

Where to return your postal application form

Please return the completed application form together with attachments to:

The Proper Officer for Registration
C/o Pauline Allen
81 Oatlands Drive
Weybridge
Surrey KT13 9LN

How long it takes to process your application

Upon receipt of your application and the charge for licensing premises for civil ceremonies we will respond to you within 28 working days and arrange to carry out an inspection of the premises.

If you have not heard from us within the stated period please contact us via the telephone number or email address below. The whole process takes between six and eight weeks to complete.

Fees and what they cover

The standard fee for licence covers administration, inspection, cost of public notice and includes one room. You can view the charges for licensing premises for civil ceremonies for more details of the set fees and what they cover.

Additional information

• Before a licence can be granted, your application plan will be available for public inspection and the premises to be licensed will be advertised in one local publication to allow for any objections. Objections must be received in writing by the local authority within 21 days of the notice of application appearing in the local newspaper. Any objections will be considered as soon as practicable after receipt.
• You should contact us on the telephone number or email address below, if the are any changes to your existing licence circumstances.
• Any complaints should be immediately directed to the Proper Officer for registration. Should you not receive a response and you are located in the UK, Citizens Advice Bureau will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
• Please read our terms and conditions for granting a licence. A summary of the regulations relating to this licence can be found on the Legislation.gov.uk website.

What if I have any queries, concerns or complaint

Should you have any difficulty with the form or have any questions please contact us either by telephone on: 0300 200 1002 or email: registration.licensing@surreycc.gov.uk.

If a licence is not to be granted the applicant will be notified in writing and the reasons for reaching the decision will be given. If the applicant wishes to appeal against a decision not to licence a premise they must do so in writing to the Proper Officer for Registration within two weeks of the licensee's decision not to grant the licence. A further fee will be charged for any appeal made by the applicant.

Useful organisations

The Hotel Marketing Association is the official branch of the Chartered Institute of Marketing specifically for the hotel industry.

Partnership