How do you rate this page?
From here you can apply for for a marriage and civil partnership licence.
From this page you can apply for a licence to have premises approved as a venue for marriages and civil partnerships. Before completing the application it is important that you read the guidance notes on the requirements before an approval can be granted.
These notes provide information on:
You will need to provide evidence that the premises have the necessary fire precautions and health and safety provisions in place. This should include the submission of Fire Risk assessments in respect of the rooms where the ceremonies will take place. The Essex Fire & Rescue Service will be consulted in relation to the application and may recommend that fire safety related conditions be imposed in relation to the granting of the licence.
The Authority needs to be satisfied that no planning permission is necessary for the use of the premises for marriages or civil partnerships. For the majority of premises (such as hotels, conference centres and golf clubs) separate planning permission is not likely to be necessary because the activity is ancillary to the main use of the building. Should the applicant be in any doubt that planning permission may be required, they are advised to consult the local planning authority prior to application and to submit any approval correspondence with the application.
You will also need to supply a plan of the property which clearly shows the room, or rooms for which approval is being sought.
All, or any, of these documents as required, can be supplied either as attachments to the form or in paper copy. Paper copies should be delivered to:
Essex Registration Service
New Bridge House
60-68 New London Road
Chelmsford
CM2 0PD
Charges
A fee of £1600 is charged. You can pay this online when you make your application. Or, you can download the form and send it to the above address with a cheque made payable to Essex County Council.
If approval is not granted this fee is not refundable. If approval is granted, the licence is valid for three years. Details of how to renew the licence are provided in the guidelines.
Timescales
Following receipt of a fully completed application, a Public Notice will appear in the local press to advise members of the public of application receipt. The applicant will be advised of the process and the need to inspect the premises. A copy of the application and plan relating to the room or rooms that it is intended to be used for ceremonies will be displayed at the local registration office. The public has 21 days from the date of the Public Notice to make objection to the application.
In the majority of cases, where no objection is received, the application should be resolved in approximately six weeks from date of receipt. Should there be any delay in resolving an application, the applicant will be notified of the reason(s) for any delay.
Approval
Where a site visit is indicated as part of the approval process, there will be no deemed approval of applications by lapse of time. Consent can be validly given only by express notification by the Authority and this will only be given after all applicable site visits have been satisfactorily completed.
Contact details
Essex Registration Service
New Bridge House
60-68 New London Road
Chelmsford
CM2 0PD
Email: registrationservice@essex.gov.uk
Phone: 00 44 0(1245) 506671 or 506674
Complaints
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service you receive, please do not hesitate to complain.
Apply
You can apply for a new licence and pay online.
Register of wedding venues
The complete list of licensed wedding/civil partnership venues in Essex is available to view at:
Essex Registration Service
New Bridge House 
60-68 New London Road
Chelmsford
CM2 0PD
Opening times: 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday
