Which parish can we get married in?

You may get married in any parish provided it is:

The parish in which one or both of you reside. This means that when you give notice to the minister that you want to get married, you are actually living in the parish and that you occupy somewhere in the parish as a home. In other words it's the parish where you live permanently.

The parish in which one or both of you are on the church electoral roll. This is the Church of England electoral roll.

The parish in which one or both of you has a qualifying connection. You have a qualifying connection with a parish if:

• You were baptised in the parish by a Church of England service or form of baptism
• You have been confirmed by a Church of England service and your confirmation is entered in a register belonging to a church or chapel in the parish
• Your parent or grandparent was married in the parish by a Church of England service
• You have had your usual place of residence in the parish for at least six months
• Your parent has had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least six months during your lifetime
• You have habitually attended public worship at a Church of England service in the parish for at least six months
• Your parent has habitually attended public worship at a Church of England service in the parish for at least six months during your lifetime

The Bishop has given a direction concerning marriages in the benefice. Often a parish is part of a group of parishes called a benefice.  Sometimes the Bishop has given a direction that a couple who have a legal right to marry in one of the parishes in the benefice in the benefice can marry in any of the other parishes in the benefice.  The minister of the parish will be able to tell you if the Bishop has made a direction.

If you are not sure if you have a qualifying connection, discuss it with the minister you hope will be able to marry you. For more information about parishes in the Diocese click here please click on the following link to a Church Near You website.

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