What Are Banns of Marriage and How Are They Read?
If you are planning to marry in a Church of England church, you will probably hear the word “banns” quite early on. It is an old-fashioned term, and it can sound slightly mysterious or even alarming, particularly when you learn that someone will stand up in church and announce your names. In fact, banns of marriage are a simple and long-standing legal safeguard. This article explains what they are, how they work, what you need to do and what happens if anything goes wrong.
Legal rules can change, so always confirm the details with your vicar or the diocese. We have flagged points that need checking against current official guidance.
What are banns?
Banns are a public announcement, made in church, of an intended marriage. The word comes from an old term for a proclamation. The purpose is to give anyone who knows of a legal reason why the couple cannot marry the chance to speak up. Examples of legal impediments include one of the couple already being married, being too closely related, or being under the legal age.
In the Church of England, reading banns is one of the main ways to satisfy the legal preliminaries to a church wedding in England and Wales. It is an alternative to other routes such as a licence. For most couples who live in England and are marrying in their own parish church, banns are the standard route.
Who needs banns?
Banns are normally used for Church of England weddings where both the couple are free to marry and the legal requirements are straightforward. Some couples need a different route:
- Where one or both partners are not a British or Irish citizen, or are subject to immigration control, different rules can apply.
- Where there is not enough time to read banns, a common licence might be available.
- Where there are special circumstances, other legal routes might be used.
Your vicar will tell you which applies to you.
How and when are banns read?
The basic rule
Banns are read aloud during a main church service on three separate Sundays during the three months before the wedding. They must be read in the parish church where the wedding will take place, and in the parish where each person lives if that is different.
A typical example
Imagine a couple, Sam and Alex, who plan to marry in July. Alex lives in the parish where the wedding will take place, and Sam lives in the neighbouring parish. The vicar of Alex’s parish would arrange for the banns to be read in that church, and Sam would ask their own parish church to read the banns too, and then supply a certificate to show that they have been read. (Names are used here purely for illustration.)
The wording
The traditional form is along these lines: “I publish the banns of marriage between [name] of [parish] and [name] of [parish]. If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in holy matrimony, ye are to declare it.” Modern wording is sometimes used, and your vicar will use the authorised form.
It is often read during a Sunday morning service, usually before or after the sermon or as part of the notices. In some churches, the couple do not need to attend, though many choose to be there, at least once. You may hear a gentle murmur of delight or the occasional playful cheer from the congregation.
How to arrange banns
- Contact the church early. Speak to the vicar or wedding coordinator at the church where you wish to marry. If you have a qualifying connection and the date is possible, the process can begin.
- Complete a banns application form. You will give full names, addresses and the parish where each lives, and your intended wedding date. Some parishes ask for proof of identity or residence.
- The vicar arranges for the banns to be read. In the home parish of each person, this will usually be arranged by the local church.
- Collect a banns certificate from the other parish if one of you lives elsewhere. This certificate should be given to the vicar who will conduct the wedding.
- The banns are recorded in the church’s banns register.
It is wise to allow plenty of time. Because banns are read on specific Sundays, the process can take several weeks.
How long do banns last?
Once banns have been read, they are valid for a limited time. In general, the wedding should take place within three months of the first reading. If your wedding is postponed beyond that period, the banns would need to be read again.
For this reason, avoid asking for banns too early. Check with your vicar when the first reading should be.
What is the banns certificate?
If you or your partner live in a different parish from where the wedding will be, the banns need to be read there too. After reading, the vicar of that parish gives you a certificate stating that the banns have been published, and that no objections were raised. This must be handed to the vicar conducting the wedding.
What if someone objects?
If someone says during the banns reading that there is a reason why the couple cannot legally marry, the vicar must look into the matter. Such objections are very rare. The vicar would typically speak to the person afterwards, ask for evidence and consult the diocese if necessary. The wedding cannot proceed until the matter is resolved.
An objection must be based on a legal impediment. Personal dislike, disapproval from relatives or a feeling that the match is unwise does not count.
Do we have to be there when the banns are read?
You do not have to be present. Many couples like to attend at least once, partly because it can feel special to hear your names read in church and partly because it gives you a taste of the church community. If you do attend, you might be asked to stay for a few minutes after the service to chat with the vicar or meet church members.
Banns, licences and other routes
Banns are one of several routes. The others are:
| Route | Summary |
|---|---|
| Banns | Read in church on three Sundays; the usual route for many parish weddings |
| Common licence | Issued by the diocese; used when there is limited time or when banns are not suitable |
| Special licence | Issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury; rare and for exceptional circumstances |
| Superintendent Registrar’s certificate | Notice given to the register office; used in certain situations |
Your vicar will advise on which route is right and will help with the paperwork.
Common questions and misconceptions
“Do banns mean the wedding is public property?”
They are public in the sense that they are announced, but the main effect is that anyone with a legal objection can raise it. For most couples, banns are a cheerful formality.
“Can we skip banns to avoid embarrassment?”
If you prefer, you could ask about a licence, but it may involve a fee and is not automatically granted. Many couples find that banns are not as awkward as they feared.
“What if we change our minds or the date?”
Let the vicar know. If the date changes after banns have been read, the period of validity matters. You may need new banns.
“Are banns used in other denominations?”
Banns are mainly associated with the Church of England, though other churches have their own procedures. Check with the minister of your chosen church.
A simple checklist
- [ ] Speak to the vicar and confirm that banns are the right route.
- [ ] Complete the banns application form.
- [ ] Identify which parishes need to read the banns.
- [ ] Agree the Sundays on which banns will be read.
- [ ] Obtain and hand over any banns certificates.
- [ ] Check that the wedding falls within the validity period.
- [ ] Attend a reading if you wish.
Frequently asked questions
How many times are banns read?
Banns are traditionally read on three Sundays.
Does the couple have to attend?
No, but many couples choose to be there for at least one reading.
Can banns be read online?
Banns must be read aloud in church services. Some parishes also display them on notice boards or in newsletters, but the legal requirement is the reading.
What if one of us lives abroad?
This can complicate matters, so speak to the vicar and the diocese early, as different rules may apply.
Church of England Weddings: A Plain-English Guide
Conclusion
Banns of marriage are a time-honoured, public way of making sure there is no legal obstacle to a wedding. For most couples, the process is simple: apply through the parish, have the banns read on the required Sundays, collect any certificates and make sure the wedding takes place within the validity period. Talk to your vicar early, check the current rules and enjoy what many couples find to be a surprisingly warm moment of community recognition.