• Preliminaries to marriage vary according to the method of solemnization. This guide provides general guidance but if you need further information please contact a Registrar of Marriages in your district or the General Register Office in Belfast.
  • Notice throughout this guide means notice of intended marriage.
  • Fees payable are set out in the fees section.

Section D
Other Denominations and Civil Marriages

(Including Baptists, Brethren, Congregationalists, Free Presbyterians, Methodists, Salvation Army, Jews and the Society of Friends etc)

1. Marriages according to the customs of other religious bodies may take place by
   • Registrar's licence (except for Jews and the Society of Friends).
   • Registrar's certificate.
   • Special licence (certain religious bodies only).
2. For procedures relating to Registrar's certificate see Section E.
3. For some denominations the Registrar must be present at the marriage ceremony. In such circumstances the parties are advised to agree the proposed time and date of the ceremony with the Registrar well in advance before finalising their arrangements. Further information about this may be obtained from the Registrar.

   Special licences

   (available to Baptists, Congregationalists, Methodists and members of the Society of Friends)
   
4. Special Licence may be granted by
   • the President of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland
   • the Secretary of the Conference of the Methodist Church in Ireland
   • the Clerk of the Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends in Ireland
   provided that
   • one or both parties are members of the same church as the person who grants the special licence.
5. A fee is usually payable to the religious body concerned and the amount is decided by that body. Marriages by special licence may be celebrated at any time and at any place in Ireland.

   Jews

6. Marriages according to the customs of Jews may take place only by Registrar's certificate but need not be celebrated within the district of residence of either party.