Marriage/civil partnership during Covid-19

[dandelionsticks]

Can anyone advise on how to get married during this period? Is it not possible at all now? We'd like to formalize the paperwork asap as we have children and this is to protect them. We had been planning this pre COVID-19 but obviously everything's been cancelled. We now just want to formalize the relationship and, when normal times resume, we'll have a celebration with friends and family then. Issue is that registry offices are not accepting new registrations. Whilst we are okay to only have two witnesses, current circumstances means we have nobody to leave the kids with whilst they officiate the ceremony. We are in a hotspot in the country so feel this is important to protect the children and each other.

Yes, I know we are silly not to have done it already. There have been various complicated reasons why it hasn't happened and the main thing is that we now do this, if we can!

Thanks

The government have banned gatherings of more than 2 people including weddings so no it is not possible as you legally need 5 people to marry - yourselves, a registrar or minister and two witnesses.

No you can get married or have a civil partnership now.
You will have to wait until everything is back to normal but I’m guessing there will be huge amounts of people in the same position as you.

Sorry that should be can’t.

No, you cannot get married anywhere. It’s not related to the “no more than two people” rule. You also cannot have a baptism. The only thing allowed now is a funeral.

Thanks everyone. Ah, this is now adding to my anxiety :(

Not at all the same, but you could write a will to protect as much as you can for now.

Thanks daisypond. Agree and we'll be doing this plus powers of attorney. Hope everyone is safe and well.

@dandelionsticks I'm a family solicitor, if I can help at all let me know. Being married or not should not affect the children in most respects - what are you particularly concerned about?
I'm in the same boat by the way - long term cohab with children.

@arcadia I'll PM you if that's ok. Thanks so much.

No problem !