A couple would choose to marry by licence to avoid the time taken to read banns – or to avoid publicity. They might have been away from their home parish or might have had reasons for wanting to marry quickly. A licence was more expensive than banns, so some people chose a licence as a status symbol.
A special licence, granted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, allowed a marriage to take place anywhere.
A common licence, granted by archbishops, bishops, or by other members of the clergy on their behalf, usually specified the bride’s or groom’s parish – this restriction was often ignored by ministers.
Either the bride or the groom had to apply for the licence by means of an allegation, a sworn statement that there was no impediment to the marriage taking place and giving parental consent if needed.
Marriages in register offices (from 1837) are subject to completion of written declarations by both parties.
The information above applies to England and Wales. Please use the Contact Us page to comment on it, or to provide information about marriage licences in other parts of the world.