Form

How to apply for a correction to a marriage or civil partnership entry

Updated 28 May 2024

Applies to England and Wales

1. General information

A fee of £99 is payable for an application to correct a marriage^{[footnote 1]}/civil partnership registration. This is a consideration fee, as such, is non-refundable. The fee must be paid at the point of application.

A correction can only be made when the information recorded in the marriage/civil partnership registration or conversion register is wrong. The registration cannot be corrected to show new information if circumstances have changed since the registration was made.

To establish if the error is in the original entry and not just on the certificate, you will need to contact either:

• the register office in the area where your marriage/civil partnership took place, even if it was a religious marriage
• the register office where your civil partnership was converted to a marriage

2. How do I apply for a correction?

You can download an application form.

You should then contact the register office in the area where your marriage/civil partnership took place to check how the fee will be taken and how your application will be processed.

3. Who can apply for a correction?

Either party to the marriage/civil partnership can apply, however both parties must be aware that the correction is being made. If both parties are no longer alive, we will not be able to correct the registration.

4. What does a correction look like?

The original information will always be shown as it was first given at the time of the registration, but a note will be written in the margin of the registration explaining what the correct information should be and the date on which the correction was made. All certificates issued afterwards will include this note.

5. Do I need to prove that the information contained in the marriage/civil partnership certificate is wrong?

You will need to show that the information originally given at the time of marriage/civil partnership was wrong. You should provide a copy of the marriage/civil partnership certificate and produce document(s) which show the correct information. These documents should be valid or dated within the 3 months prior to the date of the marriage/civil partnership. Please see the application form for a list of suitable documents.

If you cannot provide any evidence of an error having occurred, then normally a correction will not be possible. Further advice can be obtained by calling 0300 123 1837.

6. Do I need to send in original documents?

If sending the application by post and paying for the service over the phone, please do not send original documents with your application form. You should only send in photocopies of documents which have been certified by a professional or reputable person as true copies of the originals.

Read a list of examples of suitable persons who can countersign your document.

Acceptable certifiers are listed under the heading ‘Occupations’.

The person certifying the photocopies must not be related by birth or marriage^{[footnote 1]}/civil partnership to the applicant(s), be in a personal relationship with them or live at the same address. The certifier should:

• include the words - “Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me”
• sign the photocopy
• print their name
• confirm their occupation
• add their address and telephone number

If you are taking the application to a register office and paying in person then the register office should be able to certify your documents as a true copy of the original which means you can retain your original documentation.

General Register Office (GRO) reserves the right to ask you to submit the original document if needed.

GRO and the local registration service will confidentially destroy all certified copies submitted unless specifically asked to return them when your application is made.

7. Do I have to be there when the registration is corrected?

There is no requirement for a correction to be witnessed.

8. How long will it take for my marriage/civil partnership registration to be corrected?

If there are no problems with your application, you can expect your application to be reviewed within 25 working days of receipt of your documentation by GRO. If GRO needs more information or if you need to submit more paperwork, each further reply may to take up to 25 working days to review.

However, you should be aware that, in exceptional circumstances, it may not always be possible to meet these targets.

If a correction is authorised you will be advised when it has been completed.

9. Where can I find out more?

You should contact the register office where the marriage/civil partnership took place. They will be happy to explain what you need to do.

Alternatively, you can telephone GRO, who will advise you on your individual circumstances and how to apply for a correction.

Contact details

GRO Casework Team
PO Box 476
Southport
PR8 2WJ

Phone: 0300 123 1837
Email: GROcasework@gro.gov.uk

Download an application form.

The information contained in this leaflet is based on the Marriage Act 1949, the Civil Partnership Act 2004, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, the Civil Partnerships, Marriage and Deaths (Registration etc) Act 2019 and other associated legislation, but is not a full statement of the law.

For the purpose of detecting and preventing crime, information relating to an application may be shared and verified with other government departments or law enforcement agencies.

The General Register Office is part of HM Passport Office.

1. For the purpose of this form “marriage” refers to a marriage which has been entered in a marriage register in accordance with the Marriage Act 1949, or entered in a conversion register in accordance with the Marriage of Same Sex Couples (Conversion of Civil Partnership) Regulations 2014. ↩ ↩²