Legal requirements on a marriage certificate- help please!

[vwvic]

Hi there. Dp and I are getting married on 29/9, and we have some rather special circumstances which are leading to complications with our marriage certificate.

Basically, we do not want our fathers' details on it. I've talked to one of the registrars, and she said that as it wasn't a legal requirement, although they would prefer the details to be recorded, they cannot force us to put them on.

Fast forward to yesterday, when I handed a form with marriage certificate details and choice of vows etc in to the register office. The registrar there checked our form, and told me that it was dependent upon the registrar whether they would marry us with that information missing from the certificate. Apparently we can't find out who it will be until the day, so there is a real risk our ceremony will be cancelled. Help!

Thanks for making it this far. I guess I need to find out if having fathers' details on your marriage certificate is a legal requirement- anyone have any ideas where I can do this?

Try ringing the General Register Office at Southport.

0151 471 4803 or 0151 471 4814.

I used to do births and deaths but not marriages so not sure of the legalities. If you didn't know your father you couldn't put it on so I'm not sure that it is a legal requirement. Hope they can help you - and have a lovely wedding day!

basic nosiness .. why is it such a big deal to you both?

Sounds a bit strange esp as you want both father's details to be missing - are you related?
Anyway suggest you call the General Register Office
www.gro.gov.uk

Marriages and Civil Partnerships Section
For enquiries about planning a marriage or forming a civil partnership in England or Wales and about changes to details on existing marriage records

Tel: +44 (0) 151 471 4803 or 0151 471 4814 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)

Or write to us at:
Marriages & Civil Partnerships Section
General Register Office
Trafalgar Road
SOUTHPORT
PR8 2HH

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

No, we're not related! It does sound a bit cryptic though. There are two resons why we want the details missing. My father was/is an extremely abusive man, who disowned me as soon as my mother died. I've had no contact with him for over 6 years, so I have no idea of his occupation, or even if he's still alive.It's silly I know, but I still get very upset even seeing his name .
DP's "father" is transgender- she's now female, and therefore not his father. We both feel that it would be very inconsiderate to her feelings to state her details under a section that clearly is a man's role. Hope that makes sense!

To clarify further, when we gave notice, we told theregistrar all of this, and she was fine with it.

Sorry, forgot to mention- thanks for the link, I'm emailing now.

I asked my vicar for my father's details not to be recorded on my marriage certificate - said it was a personal decision, and it was fine. Though this was 12 years ago I don't think the law has changed so I presume it's not a legal requirement. Just don't give out either of your father's details!