Telephone enquiries: Monday to Friday, 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.
Tel: 020 8343 6314 Fax: 020 8343 6310

Planning Your Wedding

First of all, we extend to you our sincere good wishes 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 you own circumstances may require further investigation, you should seek our advice immediately. This can be done by telephoning this office Monday to Friday, between 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.

3. Up to twelve months before your wedding, each of you must visit your local Register Office and give notice of your intended marriage . If you both live in the same registration district, only one notice is given. If the Registrar's certificate is not available at the time you come to this office, it/they should be forwarded here by recorded delivery as soon as possible

4. a) If you are getting married for the first time, you should bring the following:
   i) The Jewish marriage lines (ketubah) of your parents or, (if these are not available) the date and place of their marriage.
   ii) Your full birth certificate showing the names of parents and date of birth
   iii) The Registrar's certificate (See Note 3 above)
   iv) A letter from a parent or close relative stating that you have never been married before.
   v) Where there has been a change of name since your parents' marriage, documentary evidence to that effect.
   vi) 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:
   i) Your previous ketubah (Jewish marriage lines) or the date and place of your previous marriage
   ii) The death certificate of your late spouse; or - where applicable - your Get certificate (Jewish divorce) and civil decree absolute
   iii) The Registrar's certificate or licence (See Note 3 above)
   iv) A letter from a close relative confirming 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 "Office of the Chief Rabbi".

   A series of workshops for those intending marriage are organised regularly by the Jewish Marriage Council. Topics include: * Relationships * Preparing for the wedding day * Setting up a Jewish home Telephone: 020 8203 6311

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