Marriage by Common Licence

Marriage by common licence is the means of asking for permission to marry in the Anglican Church without the three-week waiting period it takes to read the Banns. However, one of the parties must be resident in the parish where the marriage will take place for 15 days before making the application.

A Common Licence must also be obtained by British citizens normally resident abroad but who wish to marry in the UK and by foreign nationals who wish to marry here. For UK citizens resident here, there must be a good reason for the request, such as an imminent departure overseas, or the anticipated death of one of the parties.

Application must be made in person (by at least one of the parties) to the minister, who submits a request to the Diocese Council giving the full circumstances of the applicant. If he is not able to grant the licence himself, he will be able to advise the couple of the address of the nearest Surrogate or the Diocesan Registrar for granting marriage licences in the Diocese.

To be married by common licence, at least one of the couple must be baptised and neither should be divorced with a former spouse still living. Once the licence is granted the marriage must take place within three calendar months.

Marriage by Banns      Marriage by Special Licence