This form is for venues who have a current licence, but need to make changes to their licence such as a change of venue name or adding new licenced rooms/areas.

The form below will go through the information and documents needed for your application.

Please attach your documents below where applicable to the change you are requesting. If your files are too large to attach to this form, please email them to venueapproval@islington.gov.uk after completing this form.

Application for variation of ceremonies licence

Application form for premises to make a change to their existing ceremonies licence as a venue for marriages in pursuance of section 26(1)(bb) of the Marriage Act 1949 and civil partnerships in pursuance of section 6(3A)(a) of the Civil Partnership Act 2004. This application must be made by the proprietor or a trustee of the premises.

  • Venue details

  • Please give the name on the current licence at this point.

  • This is the person who will have overall responsibility for ensuring that the licence requirements are met, and will be the named contact for our office in regards to ceremonies.

  • Details of licence variation

  • Please give details e.g. the full new name you would like to use, or list the rooms/ areas you want to hold ceremonies in, and the maximum number of people that can be in each room/area for a ceremony, as permitted by the venue's fire risk assessment. Please include the couple, the two registrars, all guests, suppliers and venue staff present in the room/area during the ceremony in this number.
  • If a venue changes its name on the licence, this could have serious consequences for any couples who have already given notice for the original name. These couples would need to give notice again using the new name, and it likely that you as the venue would be asked by the couple to pay for this additional cost (£35-£47 per person). If a couple are unable give the legal notice again before their ceremony, their ceremony will not be able to take place as the first notice will no longer be valid. Our licencing team can work with you to time the change to ensure as few couples as possible are affected, but it is not always possible to plan this so no couples are affected.
  • This is usually either moving the ceremony inside to a stated licenced room, which will be reserved and set out for a ceremony, or covering the area with a marquee prior to the ceremony day.

  • Supporting documents

    If you are just changing the name of your venue, please continue to the payment section as there are no documents required.

  • If you are adding new ceremony rooms/areas, please attach a plan of the premises and any new rooms/linked outdoor areas, drawn to such scale that it clearly identifies the room/s or area/s in which ceremonies and interviews are intended to take place, as well as the escape routes.
    Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 24 MB.
    • If you are adding new ceremony rooms/areas, please attach a seating plan of each new ceremony room/area indicating what the maximum occupancy is as permitted by the venue's fire risk assessment, and showing the layout if the maximum number of guests were present.
      Drop files here or
      Max. file size: 24 MB.
      • If you are adding new ceremony rooms/areas, please attach the latest fire risk assessment for the venue, including these areas. This must be dated within the last 12 months.
        Drop files here or
        Max. file size: 24 MB.
        • If you are adding new ceremony rooms/areas, please attach an access strategy document, outlining how people with disabilities will access the new licensed parts of the premises and the sanitary facilities. Please click here to see a template of this document.
          Drop files here or
          Max. file size: 24 MB.

          • Additional supporting documents for City of London venues only

            There are additional documents required by the City of London. If your venue is within the borough of Islington, please continue to the next section of this form.

          • If you are adding new ceremony rooms/areas, please attach fire alarm certification dated within the last 12 months.
            Drop files here or
            Max. file size: 24 MB.
            • If you are adding new ceremony rooms/areas, please attach a satisfactory Electrical certificate of Inspection Report (ECIR) dated within the last 3 years.
              Drop files here or
              Max. file size: 24 MB.
              • If you are adding new ceremony rooms/areas, please attach an escape lighting battery certificate dated within the last 12 months.
                Drop files here or
                Max. file size: 24 MB.
                • If you are adding new ceremony rooms/areas, please attach fire extinguishing appliance and equipment certification dated within the last 12 months.
                  Drop files here or
                  Max. file size: 24 MB.
                  • If you are adding new outdoor ceremony rooms/areas with temporary structures, please attach attach your licence under Section 30 London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939.
                    Drop files here or
                    Max. file size: 24 MB.
                    • If you are adding new ceremony rooms/areas please attach a suppression system certification dated within the last 12 months.
                      Drop files here or
                      Max. file size: 24 MB.

                      • Any other information

                      • Drop files here or
                        Max. file size: 24 MB.

                        • Payment details

                          The fee for an application for variation of licence is currently:

                          • £100 to change the name of a venue or other change not requiring inspection (Islington or City of London venues)
                          • £100 to add new rooms/areas to your licence (Islington venues only)
                          • £729 to add new rooms/areas to your licence (City of London venues only)

                          You can either pay by online form or send a cheque payable to 'London Borough of Islington' to Wayne Woodrup, Islington Register Office, Town Hall, Upper Street, London N1 2UD. Please adjust the balance of the online form to pay the correct amount. No other payment methods are available.

                        • Applicant confirmations

                        • You can view the health and safety requirements below: