St Mark, winged lion of the Evangelist
St Mark's Church Community Centre, Bedford
A Christian Church where you will find a welcome whoever you are. Sunday worship is 9.30am Our community centre is open each day from 7.30am until late, welcoming over 60 community groups and charities based at our centre. The world is our parish. 
St Mark's Church, Diocese of St Albans UK, part of the worldwide Anglican Church
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Banns of Marriage
Banns of Marriage Register
Banns of Marriage 

For a marriage to be lawful and comply with UK Civil and Church law, Banns must be read out in church. Banns are just an announcement in the local parish church of your intention to marry and a chance for anyone to put forward a reason why the marriage may not lawfully take place. Banns need to be read in the parish where each of you lives as well as the parish church in which you are to be married, if that is somewhere else. You must have your Banns read out in church for three Sundays during the three months before the wedding. This is often done over three consecutive Sundays but does not have to be. 

You will probably wonder what all the fuss is about with Banns, it is an archaic practice which hardly makes any sense at all in modern times, but nevertheless we have to do it because it is the law, albeit ancient law !  Once upon a time people would have known who the people were who were getting married and they would know if there was a valid reason to object to the marriage. The reasons are quite specific and include such things as the bride and groom are blood relatives, being under duress, or already married to somebody else. It is nothing to worry about and it can be quite nice to come along to church and hear you name read out, so come along if you can.

If there is not enough notice given for the Banns to be read before the marriage is due to take place, or in the case of the marriage of people whose nationality is not British, or if one or both of you do not live in England, it is recommended that a Marriage Licence is given instead of Banns. This is especially recommended if there is any doubt as to the legal requirements of the home country of a non-British person for recognition of an English Church marriage.

There is a fee payable for the reading of the Banns and issue of a certificate which is £48 for 2022. This may be paid by bacs, cash or cheque which should be made payable to The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mark, Bedford. All Church of England Fees are set nationally and can be found by typing 'Church of England Fees' into Google. If you wish you may complete one of the downloadable forms and send it to us with your fee and we will send your a Banns certificate in due course. Please ensure that you receive a confirmation that you are in the parish and all is in order. We would be delighted to welcome you to church to hear your Banns read so please tell us convenient dates if you do attend to hear the Banns and you may collect your certificate on that occasion.

  • Banns are called out on three Sundays, not necessarily consecutive
  • A marriage after the calling of Banns must be solemnized within three months   
  • They are called at the parish church where the parties reside and where they wish to be married 


 
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