Torbay Council

allow cookiesAllow
More info

We use cookies to help provide services that are easy for you to use and to improve our website. None of our cookies collect personal information about you or your computer, nor are they used for advertising or marketing purposes.

If you choose to disable cookies then some of our applications will not work - in order to get the best out of our website you will need to ensure that you allow cookies.

Approved Premises Licence

How to become one of our approved premises for civil ceremonies.

Here at Torbay Register Office, we have been approving premises for marriages and civil partnerships for some years and currently have 18 licenced premises across the bay's towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.  We pride ourselves in offering customers a wide variety of venues, from hotels, to Kents Cavern, to the Babbacombe Cliff Railway.
Once your premises have been approved, the details of your venue would be publicised on this website and would be included in information packs which are provided to couples requesting information on ceremonies.

The Legal Requirements

Title of licenseApproved Premises License
Meta DescriptionLicense for Approved Premises to hold Civil Marriage Ceremonies (Marriage Act 1949) and Civil Partnership Ceremonies (Civil Partnership Act 2004)
Key WordsApproved Premises; Marriage; Civil Partnership;
License summaryApproved Premises need a license from the Local Authority to hold Civil Marriages and Civil Partnerships
Eligibility CriteriaThe premises must be within Torbay and suitable, on inspection from the Registration Authority.  A fee, determined by the Local Authority, will be payable on application.
Link to regulation/ license summaryNot currently available
Application Evaluation process
There are certain legal requirements which must be satisfied before a license may be granted. Some of these are outlined below:
  • The venue must be a permanent structure comprising at least a room or any boat or other vessel which is permanently moored (please note any premises outside this definition such as the open air, a tent, marquee or any temporary structure would not be eligible for approval)
  • The premises must be a seemly and dignified venue for the proceedings
  • The venue must not be religious premises
  • The premises must be regularly available to the public
  • The minimum numbers of rooms should be two (one for the ceremony and one for confidential interviewing purposes)
  • The premises must have public liability insurance and a current fire risk assessment
For further information please contact Torbay Register Office
It is in the public interest that Torbay Registration Service must process your application before it can be granted. You cannot provide, operate, authorise or undertake the licensable activity without a Licence and submitting an application form does not guarantee that a Licence will be granted.
If you have not had a response to your application within 5 working days, please contact Torbay Register Office.
Failed application redressAny applicant who is refused a license can appeal for review to the local authority and any review carried out by a different committee to that which made the original decision.
License holder redressAny license holder who objects to a condition attached to a license may appeal to the Registrar General.
Consumer complaintMay be made in writing to the local authority
Other redress(no provisions in legislation)
Trade associationLACORS
For further information please contact Torbay Register Office.

Applications

The application procedure for a licence is very straightforward and advice is available throughout the process.
The application pack contains guidance notes (see Related Documents) and an application for which is available to download below.

Apply - Approved Premises Licence (Printable)

We will then arrange to carry out a formal inspection and place a statutory public notice in the local press. Twenty one days after the notice has been placed if we have received no objections to the licensing of your venue, your venue will become approved. and a licence will be granted which is valid for three years.

Fees

The current fees to licence an approved premise, or to renew an existing licence are listed with our fees and charges.
You will be provided with a licence to cover as many rooms as you require which have been agreed as suitable by the Superintendent Registrar. The licence runs for three years from the date of approval. Should you decide to renew your licence before the date of expiry, the renewal is offered at a reduced rate.

Related Documents

All documents open in a new window. Need more help with documents? View the Document Help page.



Contact Registrar

Related Pages