How do I get a copy of my marriage certificate?

For people who need a copy of a marriage or civil partnership certificate.

Applies to: England, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

In England and Wales you order a copy of a marriage certificate from the General Register Office (GRO).

Order online, which takes about 10 minutes and needs a debit or credit card.
A certificate costs £12.50 and is sent 4 days after you apply.
Without the GRO index reference number, it is £3.50 extra and takes 15 working days.
The priority service costs £38.50 and is sent the next working day if you order by 4pm.
You can also order from the local register office where the marriage was registered.

Different in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland: order from National Records of Scotland.
Northern Ireland: order from GRONI for £15.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Standard: £12.50
No GRO reference: £3.50 extra
Priority: £38.50
Order online from the GRO

What you need

A debit or credit card.
An account on the General Register Office (GRO) website. You register when you first order.
Details of the marriage, such as both names and where and when it took place.
The GRO index reference number, if you have it. This is a reference from the official index of marriages. You can still order without it, but it costs more and takes longer.
If the certificate is for a passport application, your passport application reference number.

The same service works for civil partnership certificates.

Steps to order online (England and Wales)

Go to the GOV.UK page for ordering certificates and follow the link to the GRO website.
Register or sign in.
Choose a marriage certificate and enter the details you know.
Add the GRO index reference number if you have it.
Choose standard or priority service.
Pay by card. It takes about 10 minutes.

You can also order by phone from the GRO on 0300 123 1837 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm), by post using the GRO application form, or from the local register office where the marriage was registered.

Cost and time

Service	Cost per certificate	When it is sent
Standard, with GRO reference	£12.50	4 days after you apply
Standard, no GRO reference	£12.50 plus £3.50 search fee	15 working days after you apply
Priority	£38.50	Next working day if you order by 4pm

Example: you order 1 standard copy without a GRO reference. You pay £12.50 plus a £3.50 search fee, which is £16 in total. It is sent 15 working days after you apply.

After you apply

The certificate comes by post. If you ordered it for a passport application, you can ask for it to be sent straight to HM Passport Office, so you do not need to post it on yourself.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Wales: uses the same GRO service as England.
Scotland: order an official extract from National Records of Scotland. You need the full name on the certificate, the year and the place. Most can be ordered online.
Northern Ireland: order from the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) online, by phone, by post or in person. One certificate costs £15. Extra copies of the same certificate ordered at the same time cost £8 each. Standard orders are usually done within 5 working days. A priority service costs £20 in total.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Order a marriage certificate

Common questions

How much does a copy of a marriage certificate cost?

£12.50 in England and Wales. It is £3.50 more if you do not have the GRO index reference number, or £38.50 for the priority service.

Can I get a civil partnership certificate the same way?

Yes. The GRO service covers marriage and civil partnership certificates.

Can the certificate go straight to the Passport Office?

Yes. If you are ordering it for a passport application, you can have it sent to HM Passport Office.

Official sources

1.Order a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate
2.Order a copy of a certificate (National Records of Scotland)www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/order-a-copy-of-a-certificate/
3.Ordering life event certificates (nidirect)www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/ordering-life-event-certificates

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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