The Registrar General can authorise marriages or civil partnerships to take place at short notice in circumstances where one of the parties is seriously ill, not expected to recover and cannot be moved to a place where a marriage or civil partnership could normally take place. This is known as a marriage by Registrar Generals Licence and are sometimes called deathbed marriages/civil partnerships.
It is important to note that this is an administrative provision designed to facilitate the legal formalisation of a relationship in urgent medical situations. It is not intended to be a ceremonial occasion. Marriages or civil partnerships under this licence may take place in locations not typically approved for ceremonies, such as private residences, hospitals, or hospices.
Contact the Registration service via our Contact Centre.