Marriage venue licences - Print version

About marriage venue applications

A licence is required if you want to offer your premises as a venue for the solemnisation of marriages and civil partnerships.

Eligibility criteria

The licence will have specialist criteria attached, depending on the premises, but see Annexes A-E [/downloads/download/891/application_form_for_marriage_venue], which set these out in general terms.

The Council will need to place an advert, and allow 21 days for persons to lodge any objections to the application. If none are received then, the Council can undertake the next stage of the process.

The Council will also need to undertake an inspection of the premises, and the Fire Safety Authority will need to approve the venue for use with the capacities given in your application.

At least two people must be designated as 'Responsible Persons' as part of the application process. At least one of these persons must be on site and available at all times during any ceremonies, if a licence is granted.

See the Statutory Instrument [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3168/contents/made] above for more information on this.

Application process

To apply to have your venue considered for registration, fill in the application form [/downloads/download/891/application_form_for_marriage_venue] and submit this with the checklist [/downloads/download/891/application_form_for_marriage_venue].

Tacit consent

Tacit Consent does not apply. The venue cannot be used for the solemnisation of marriages and civil partnerships until a licence has been issued.

The maximum length of time to complete the application is usually 120 calendar days, but this can vary depending on the application.

Apply for a marriage venue licence

Apply online

Apply for a licence to use premises for civil marriage and civil partnership [https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/approval-of-premises-for-civil-marriage-and-civil-partnership/coventry/apply-1].

Apply by post

If you wish to apply by post for a new licence to use premises for civil marriage and civil partnership please download the application forms [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/891/application_form_for_marriage_venue].

Charges

The fee for 2024-2025 is £2,000.00

The fee for 2025-2026 is £2,100.00

Supplementary information

Three sets of plans must be provided with the application, and a statement of the names and addresses of the directors of the company if it is a limited entity.

Copies of any other licenses issued, for example, for entertainment or alcohol, and any recent fire safety audit documents should also be supplied with the application.

Right of appeal

Regulation 9 of the Marriage and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005 allows for a review of the decision not to grant a licence, to an officer independent of the original decision-making process.

The request for review should be made in writing and sent to us.

For further information on this process see the statutory instrument [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3168/contents/made].

Length of licence

A licence lasts for 3 years.

Application for renewal must be made in the last 12 months of the licence, using the same method and forms as with a first application.

The licence will specify the earliest date when an application to renew can be made.

The Council will also generally issue a reminder to the venue, when this time period begins.

Change of circumstances

Changes can be made by visiting the GOV.UK website [http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/approval-of-premises-for-civil-marriage-and-civil-partnership/coventry/change-1].