Officiant registration

Religious Organisations

Nominating an officiant

You must be a church official, for example a senior elder, president or secretary, to nominate an officiant.  

Find out more about marriage procedures in Northern Ireland.

Permanent religious officiant application

If your church has not had a permanent officiant approved by the Register General since 1 January 2004, you should complete the form below. 

You can download the application form at the link below.

• Permanent religious officiant application form

Additional permanent religious officiant application

In some cases, an additional permanent officiant may be approved. If your church feels it needs another permanent officiant, you should complete the GRO 461 application form below.

You can download the application form at the link below.

• Additional permanent religious officiant application form

Temporary religious officiant application

If your church has a permanent officiant, but needs temporary approval for another officiant, you should complete the GR0 464 application form below.

If your church does not have a permanent officiant and requires temporary approval for an officiant, you should complete the GRO 465 form ‘Application for temporary approval as an officiant at religious marriages in Northern Ireland’.

You can download the application forms at the link below.

• Temporary officiant application forms

Belief Body Organisation

Belief Bodies can only apply for Temporary Officiant status.

If you are a new Belief Body or require new Officiants on a marriage by marriage basis, you should complete the GR0 466 application form below.

• Temporary Belief Body Officiant application form

Submitting the application

You should complete the form in block capitals, except for the signatures required. Completed application forms should be returned to the General Register Office at the address below.

Help with registering an officiant

If you have any questions about your application you can find contact information for the General Register Office at the link below.

• General Register Office for Northern Ireland

More useful links

• District Registrars in Northern Ireland
• Getting married in a religious ceremony
• Getting married in a civil ceremony
• Marriage/civil partnership and immigration control
• How and when to give notice for marriage