Stupid Question Alert.... how do you get married?

[PuppyMonkey]

DP and I are "considering" doing a very quick, no fuss thing down the register office. Just a couple of witnesses and then Bob's your uncle, no big reception. Might just go for a nice walk in the country afterwards instead.

I know I should probably start by just ringing the register office, but before I do... can anyone give me an idea what documents we'll need (I'm sure I haven't got my birth certificate any more for eg), how long we'd have to wait before we can do it and etc.

Also, who exactly do we have to tell afterwards. I presume tax office??? I will keep my surname, but do I still have to tell my bank, passport people, driving licence etc even if I'm not changing my name????

Sorry, I'm a right thicko aren't I? Any help or useful websites most appreciated.

if you are keeping your name you don't have to tell anyone!

This may help

Oh thanks - not even tax people?

Pretty sure you don't have to tell anyone if you're not changing your name (there are no tax benefits anymore are there ??)

You will need a birth certificate, proof of address and any decree absolutes etc. from previous marriages. I think you give notice of marriage and then can get married 21 days later.

fimbo's brilliant link has all the info you need about posting banns and stuff.

As fymm says, you don't really need to tell the bank etc unless you change your name, but it's worth mentioning to people like car insurance etc as there is usually a different tick box for "married" vs "living together" and it can make a difference to your premiums in some cases.

You should probably also each tell your work so they know your new DH is now your next of kin (a partner is legally not) and know to transfer your pension and any death in service benefits to your spouse in the event of your death. I'm sure in practice this would happen anyway whether you told them or not, but it can't hurt to have it on file.

You don't need to tell anyone if you aren't changing your name - I didn't.

No tax benefits anymore

You don't need a birth certificate if you have a valid British passport.

Thanks then!

Tilly, I didin't think there were any benefits tax-wise any more either.... but then you hear some folk say there are. Jjust not sure about any of this!!?

Nearly forgot - one thing you really DO need to do is update your wills as I believe a will is automatically cancelled by marriage. Even if nothing changes, you still need to remake it so it's signed and dated after your marriage.

It's a myth that if you die your husband/wife gets everything and you should still have a will (slaps self on wrist as I still haven't redone my will after marriage. Double tut tut)

there are some tax benefits - but mainly to do with being able to transfer money to each other and of course avoiding inheritance tax if you die. You would just tell the probate office when that happened, you don't need to tell them in advance.

Thanks everyone, been cross posting like mad.

So if it says on my bank account Miss P Monkey, that doesn't matter - even if I'm a Mrs now??? Sorry, sounds so funny me being a missus.

no - all my stuff says Miss, bank, driving license etc etc.

Actually most of it says Ms come to think of it. Randomly when we took out our mortgage I ticked Ms and they changed it to Mrs!! Rude.

Thanks a million, visiter!

You don't have to be Mrs - I stayed being Ms, but my friend chose to change to be Mrs Hername - which the banks found very challenging, so if you want to be Mrs, be prepared for some hassle

oh I will be happy to stay a Miss if it saves a lot of bother!