License your religious venue

Applying for a building to be recorded for religious worship only

The Places of Worship Registration Act 1855 enables a place of meeting for religious worship to be recorded by the Registrar General - however, a congregation is still able to worship in a building which has not been recorded.

A church or chapel of the Church of England does not need to apply to be recorded for religious worship - if they share their building with one or more non-conformist denominations, the sharing agreement will need to be submitted with the application made by the non-conformists.

The application form 'Certifying a Place of Meeting for Religious Worship' (Form 76) must be completed in duplicate (not photocopied) by any person who can represent the congregation, e.g. the occupier/proprietor/trustee/minister.

The applicant will be asked to supply the following information, in duplicate, with the relevant fee to the Superintendent Registrar at West Northamptonshire Registration Service.

The applicant will be asked to supply the following information:

• the name by which the place of worship is known
• the address of the building
• whether the application refers to a whole building or a room/rooms within a building
• a floor plan of the building/room (s)

Apply to certify a place of meeting for religious worship.

Applying for a building to be registered as a place for the solemnisation of marriages

​Apply for a building which is already recorded as a place of religious worship to be registered as a place for the solemnisation of marriages between a man and a woman:

• Form 78 (PDF)
• Form 78 guidance notes for applicant (PDF)

If you wish to apply for the building to be registered for the solemnisation of marriages of same-sex couples, you will also need to complete Form 78A (PDF) and provide a copy of the relevant governing authority's consent:

• Form 78A (PDF)
• Form 78A guidance notes for applicant (PDF)

If you wish to certify the building as a place of religious worship and apply for it to be registered for the solemnisation of marriages between a man and a woman at the same time, you will need to complete two separate applications - Forms 76 and 78.

If you wish to apply for the building to be registered for the solemnisation of marriages of same-sex couples, you will also need to complete Form 78A and provide a copy of the relevant governing authority's consent.

Applying for an authorised person

Authorised person certificate of appointment documents:

• Form AP1 (PDF)
• A guide for authorised persons (PDF)

Notice of the disuse of a certified place of meeting for religious worship

Complete form 77 to inform the General Register Office when a congregation stop worshipping in the registered building.

• Form 77 (PDF)
• Form 77A guidance notes for the applicant ( PDF)

Last updated 23 February 2024