Copies of a UK marriage certificate are ordered through the General Register Office (GRO) online for £12.50 in England and Wales. Standard processing takes around 4 working days if you have the GRO index reference number, or up to 15 working days if you do not. Anyone can order a copy — you do not need to be one of the people named on the certificate.
What most people get wrong about marriage certificates
The most common source of confusion is the difference between the “serial number” printed on the certificate and the GRO index reference number. These are two different things. The number on your certificate is the local register entry number — it identifies where in the marriage register the record sits. The GRO index reference is a separate identifier — made up of year, quarter, registration district, volume, and page — that the GRO uses to find and retrieve your record for copying. Quoting the entry number from your certificate when ordering will not speed up your application. The index reference is what you need, and it is found by searching an index database, not by looking at your certificate.
The second issue is around viewing online. There is no service to see a digital copy of a marriage certificate on the GRO website. The online ordering service sends a physical certified copy by post. Many people searching for a way to view their certificate online discover this only after spending time looking for a service that does not exist.
The third is accepting substitutes for official use. A photocopy, photograph, or scan of a marriage certificate is not accepted for passport applications, visa applications, name change, divorce proceedings, or probate. Certified copies on official security paper are required. Some overseas authorities also require an apostille or certified translation — covered below.
What is a marriage certificate?
A marriage certificate is the official certified copy of the entry in the marriage register — the legal record of a marriage that took place in England and Wales. It contains: the full names and ages of both parties, their marital status at the time (bachelor, spinster, widower, widow, or marriage dissolved), their occupations, their fathers’ names and occupations, the date and place of the marriage, the signatures of both parties, the names of at least two witnesses, and the officiating registrar or minister.
This is distinct from the notice of marriage — the administrative step required before the wedding — and from the marriage register entry itself, which is the original record held at the register office. A certified copy is a legally authenticated reproduction of that register entry, printed on security paper with a watermark. A photocopy of a certified copy has no legal standing.
What is the marriage certificate serial number?
Searching for the serial number on a marriage certificate is one of the most common queries about the document, and it involves an important distinction.
The number labelled “Entry No.” near the bottom of your marriage certificate is the local register entry number. It identifies the specific entry in the local marriage register from which your copy was made. This number is not the same as the GRO index reference number.
The GRO index reference number is what you need when ordering a copy of your certificate from the GRO. It is made up of the year of the marriage, the quarter in which it was registered (before 1984), the registration district, the volume number, and the page number. This reference is not printed on the certificate itself — it is found by searching the marriage indexes.
To find the GRO index reference for a marriage registered in England and Wales:
- Use FreeBMD — a free transcription of the GRO indexes for births, marriages and deaths from 1837 to 1983
- Use Ancestry or Findmypast — paid services with digitised marriage index records up to 2005
- Contact the GRO directly — they can carry out a search on your behalf for an additional fee of £3.50, though this extends processing time to around 15 working days
Without the GRO index reference, you can still order a copy — you simply provide the names of both parties, the approximate date, and the place of marriage. The GRO will search on your behalf, but this costs £3.50 extra per search and takes significantly longer.
Can I view my marriage certificate online?
There is no online service to view a digital copy of a UK marriage certificate. This applies to both recent and historical marriages.
The GRO does operate an Online View digital image service, but this covers births and deaths only. The GRO has confirmed there are no plans to extend this service to marriage records. Similarly, the GRO’s free online index search covers births and deaths — there is no marriage index search on the GRO website.
For historical research, marriage index records from 1837 to 1983 are available to search for free via FreeBMD. Records up to 2005 are searchable via paid services including Ancestry and Findmypast. Searching the index will show you that a marriage is recorded and provide the GRO reference, but it will not show you the full certificate.
If you need to see the content of your marriage certificate, the only route is to order a certified copy from the GRO or the register office where the marriage took place.
How to get a copy of your marriage certificate
Online through the GRO
The fastest and most straightforward route for marriages registered in England and Wales is the GRO certificate ordering service – GOV.UK. You will need the full names of both parties, the year and place of marriage, and — if you have it — the GRO index reference number. With the reference: around 4 working days, no search fee. Without it: around 15 working days, £3.50 search fee added. Extra copies cost £12.50 each. Civil partnership certificates are ordered through the same service.
From the local register office
The register office where the marriage was registered can issue copies directly. For recent marriages, this can sometimes be quicker than ordering through the GRO. The statutory fee at local register offices in England and Wales is £12.50 per certificate.
By post
A paper application form is available from the GRO or any local register office. Send with payment by cheque or postal order. Allow at least 10 working days.
Marriage certificate fees
All fees below are current as of 2026.
| Route | Standard | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| England and Wales — GRO online (with GRO index reference) | £12.50 | £38.50 |
| England and Wales — GRO online (without GRO index reference) | £12.50 + £3.50 search fee | £38.50 + £3.50 search fee |
| England and Wales — local register office | £12.50 | varies |
| Scotland — NRS via Scotland’s People | £12 | available; fee varies |
| Scotland — local register office (e.g. Scottish Certificates) | £15 | £27 (£15 + £12 priority) |
| Northern Ireland — GRONI | £15 | £20 total |
The GRO priority service dispatches the next working day when ordered before 4pm. In Northern Ireland, additional copies of the same certificate ordered at the same time cost £8 each, and the fee includes a £7 search charge that is retained even if the record is not found.
Confirm current fees before applying at the GRO certificate ordering service – GOV.UK.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate?
| Route | Processing time |
|---|---|
| GRO online — with GRO index reference | Around 4 working days |
| GRO online — without GRO index reference | Around 15 working days |
| GRO priority service | Next working day (if ordered before 4pm) |
| Local register office | Often same day or within a few days for recent marriages |
| Postal application | 10 working days or more |
| Scotland — NRS standard | Around 15 working days |
| Scotland — local register office | 3–5 working days |
| Northern Ireland — GRONI standard | 5 working days |
| Northern Ireland — GRONI priority | Same day dispatch if ordered before 12pm |
Marriage certificate translation and apostille
When you need a certified translation
If you need to use your marriage certificate in a country where English is not the official language — for example for a visa application, overseas property transaction, or recognition of marriage abroad — you will typically need a certified translation. This is a translation accompanied by a signed statement from the translator confirming it is accurate and complete. It is not the same as a machine translation or an informal rendering.
Common situations requiring certified translation include: spouse or partner visa applications to non-English-speaking countries, divorce proceedings in another jurisdiction, recognition of a UK marriage in the EU or elsewhere, and inheritance or property matters overseas.
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a certificate issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) that authenticates a UK document for use in countries that are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention. It confirms that the document is genuine — it does not translate it. If the country you are dealing with requires both authentication and a translation, you will typically need an apostille on the original certified copy and a separate certified translation.
The FCDO apostille service costs £40 per document. You can apply via the get a document legalised service – GOV.UK.
For countries that are not Hague Convention signatories, consular legalisation may be required instead of an apostille. The requirements vary by country — check with the relevant embassy or consulate before ordering.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland
Marriages in Scotland are registered with local registrars and records are held by the National Records of Scotland (NRS). Records are available from 1855 onwards, with civil partnership records from 2004.
There are two ordering routes. Via Scotland’s People: £12 per certificate, additional copies £10 each, around 15 working days standard, priority next working day. Via local register offices such as the Scottish Certificates service: £15 per certificate, 3–5 working days standard, priority (same day dispatch if before 12pm) at £27 total.
Northern Ireland
Marriages in Northern Ireland are registered with local registrars and records are held by the General Register Office for Northern Ireland (GRONI). Records are available from 1845 for non-Roman Catholic marriages and 1864 for all registered marriages. Civil partnership records are available from 2005.
Order online at order a marriage certificate online – nidirect, by phone on 0300 200 7890, or in person at the GRONI office in Belfast. Standard fee: £15. Priority: £20 total, same day dispatch if ordered before 12pm. Additional copies of the same certificate: £8 each. Note that the fee includes a £7 search charge that is retained even if the record cannot be found.
FAQ
What is the serial number on a marriage certificate?
The “serial number” most people refer to is the Entry No. — the local register entry number — printed near the bottom of the certificate. This identifies where the entry sits in the local marriage register. It is not the same as the GRO index reference number, which is what you need to order copies faster from the GRO.
Where is the serial number on a marriage certificate?
The Entry No. is labelled near the bottom of the certificate. The GRO index reference — which is more useful for ordering purposes — is not printed on the certificate and must be found by searching FreeBMD or a service such as Ancestry or Findmypast.
How do I get a copy of my marriage certificate?
Order online through the GRO certificate ordering service – GOV.UK. You will need both parties’ names, the year and place of marriage, and ideally the GRO index reference number. The standard fee is £12.50. Processing takes around 4 working days with the reference or 15 working days without.
How much does a marriage certificate copy cost?
In England and Wales, £12.50 through the GRO online service. Priority service costs £38.50. Without a GRO index reference a £3.50 search fee is added. In Scotland, £12 via NRS or £15 via local register offices. In Northern Ireland, £15 standard or £20 priority through GRONI.
Can I view my marriage certificate online?
No. There is no digital viewing service for UK marriage certificates. The GRO’s Online View service covers births and deaths only, and the GRO has confirmed there are no plans to include marriage records. Ordering a certified copy by post is the only way to see the certificate’s content.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate?
Around 4 working days through the GRO online service with a GRO index reference, or 15 working days without. Priority service dispatches the next working day if ordered before 4pm.
Do I need a certified translation of my marriage certificate?
You may need one if you are using your certificate in a country where English is not the official language — for example for a visa application or overseas legal proceedings. A certified translation is produced by a qualified translator and accompanied by a statement of accuracy.
What is an apostille on a marriage certificate?
An apostille is a certificate from the FCDO that authenticates the document for use in Hague Convention countries. It confirms the certificate is genuine but does not translate it. It costs £40 per document, applied for via the get a document legalised service – GOV.UK.
Can anyone order a copy of a marriage certificate?
Yes. Marriage certificates are public records and anyone can order a copy. You do not need to be one of the people named on the certificate.
Does a marriage certificate change your name?
No. A marriage certificate documents that a marriage took place — it does not itself change your name. To update your name with official bodies after marriage, you use the certificate as evidence of the marriage. See the guide on how to change your name legally in the UK for the full process.
Next Steps
- Apply for a death certificate copy – GOVexplained
- How to replace a lost birth certificate – GOVexplained
- How to change your name legally in the UK – GOVexplained