NOTES TO BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM

Mazeltov to you both on your forthcoming marriage.  We hope that the following notes will be of help to you in making the necessary preparations for this important and happy occasion.

1.    As soon as possible after you have fixed the date of your wedding you should contact this office in order to book an appointment to obtain THE CHIEF RABBI’S AUTHORISATION FOR YOUR MARRIAGE.  Attendance at the office is by appointment only and is usually arranged to take place three to four months prior to the wedding date. Couples are advised to seek weekday appointments, whenever possible.

2.    PLEASE NOTE: In all cases of query, doubt, absence of documents, documents issued abroad, applicants born or living abroad, or where your own circumstances may require further investigation, you should seek our advice immediately. 

3.   Up to twelve months before your wedding, each of you must visit your local Register Office to give notice of your intended marriage. The registrar will issue each of you with a certificate at the conclusion of the notice period (15 days). [Note that you must both be resident in the UK for a minimum of seven days prior to the notice being given.  If the Registrar’s certificates are not available at the time you come to this office, they should be forwarded here by recorded delivery as soon as possible]

4.   a)  If you are getting married for the first time, each of you should provide the following:

·         The Jewish marriage lines (ketubah) of your parents or, (if these are not available) the date and place of their marriage, assuming that this took place in the UK, under orthodox auspices.

·         A full birth certificate showing the names of your parents and date of birth

·         The Registrar’s certificates  (See Note 3 above)

·         A letter from a parent or other close relative living in the UK stating that you have never been married before.

·         Where there has been a change of name since your parents’ marriage, documentary evidence to that effect, (e.g. copy of deed poll)

·         Ascertain your Hebrew names and your fathers’ and whether your fathers are “Cohen”, “Levi” or

       “Israelite”

b)    If you have been married before, you should bring with you the following:

·         Your previous ketubah or the date and place of your previous marriage (in the UK)

·         The death certificate of your late spouse; or – where applicable – your Get certificate (Jewish divorce) and civil decree absolute

·         The Registrar’s certificates (See Note 3 above)

·         A letter from a close relative resident in the UK stating that you have not remarried since becoming widowed/divorced.

If you are uncertain about any aspect of your previous marriage, please telephone this office

for guidance and advice.

5.    A fee of £100 is payable in respect of the Marriage Authorisation.  Cheques should be made payable to “Chief Rabbinate Trust”.

Revised March 2008