Civil marriage approved venue licence

In Rochdale, we are responsible for the provision of registration offices and is the licensing authority for approved venues for civil marriages and partnerships. We are pleased to accept applications for an approved premises licence in respect of venues that meet the required criteria.

To hold a civil ceremony or wedding at any premises in England and 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 ceremonies or weddings.

You can apply for a licence by downloading the application pack below.

Download the Civil marriage approved venue licence application pack

£1,484

The application must be made​ in writing on the prescribed form and include 2 copies of a plan of the premises which clearly identifies the room or rooms in which the proceedings will occur. The correct fees must be paid on submission of the application.

Tacit consent applies to a marriage approved premises licence application if no relevant representations are made during a period of 28 days from the day after the application is received by the Licensing Authority. This target date is known as the 'last date for representation'. The application will be deemed granted after the last date for representation.

If relevant representations are made within the 28 days consultation period, tacit consent does not apply and a public hearing must be held to determine your application. The public hearing will be held within 20 working days after the last date for representation. The hearing date may be extended if the Licensing Authority considers it is in the public interest to do so.

• Civil Partnership Act 2004 section 6 (3a)(a)
• Marriage Act 1949 Section 26​ (1) (​bb)

• Your premise will be inspected for suitability before approval is granted and if the application is successful, may be subject to subsequent inspection.
• Your application and plan will be made available to the public for inspection. 
• You are required to place a public notice of the application at the venue for 21 days as part of the public consultation process. On application, you can request that the public notice be published on this website or you can place a public notice in a local newspaper.  
• To be granted, your application must be in the correct format and your premises deemed suitable. However, your application may still be refused if it is felt that there are too many approved premises in the area for the Registrars to attend.
• The premises must satisfy the local authority on fire precautions and health and safety provisions.
• If your application is granted, it will be for a 3 year period, subject to revocation.
• View current applications for approval of a venue for civil ceremonies

Contact the team