getting married in a hurry when one of you may be terminally ill

[flipflopson5thavenue]

I'm asking for a friend who has just found out her partner has to undergo brain surgery - possibly in the next few days - to remove a tumour.

They want to get married for several reasons, preferably before the surgery. They have 2 young kids.

Does anyone know if you can get get an 'emergency' licence to by=pass the 28 day notice period? what is the process? they're in London

thanks

[Orange1969]

How sad and worrying.

Might be worth her talking to chaplain of the hospital to see if he/she knows what is possible.

[5madthings]

Oh I have no idea if they can't maybe they could make a will, have her be made next if kin?

Anyway bumping fir you.

I do know/have seen on fb a charity that helps provide weddings for those in this type of situation.

[5madthings]

And yes hospital Chaplin would be good person to speak to.

[ivykaty44]

www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships/what-you-need-to-do

[gBean]

Yes you can get a special license. We decided on the Saturday to get married when my Dad was dying and the wedding was all arranged for the following Saturday. Literally organised everything in 7 days including special license.

[flipflopson5thavenue]

gBean - did you just ring your local register office and explain the situation?

[WhenDoISleep]

There is information here and here that may help.

[gBean]

I'm trying to recall, I think I rang local council in the first instance. It was a long time ago now!

[5madthings]

Yes I have heard of the special licenses, makes sense that they have a way of sorting it.


Good luck to your friends, I hope the operation goes as smoothly as possible and their wedding is a perfect special day despite the circumstances xx

[Wolpertinger]

You can do this in one of two ways - either speak to registrar and get the next available booking.

Or you can get what is called a 'death bed' ceremony. This is done by presenting the registrar with a letter from a doctor stating that one party is terminal ill and not expected to get well enough to move to a place where weddings are normally carried out.

They are usually organized via the hospital palliative care team. Whatever you do, don't decide to get a special licence from the bishop for a C of E wedding as it takes bloody ages.

My record is getting someone married within 2 hours of phone call to registrar. Patient died later the same night - she'd told me she just wanted to die married to her partner.

[anorakgirl]

Giftofawedding.org (sorry can't do links) are an organisation that could help