Approved places

The following establishments have been granted 3 year Approved Place status to hold marriage and civil partnership ceremonies:

Becoming an approved place

To qualify as an Approved Place on the Isle of Man, there are certain criteria that must be met, details of which can be found in the Guidance Issued by the Clerk of the Rolls. Locations may be indoor or outdoor (if outdoor, an alternative indoor venue within walking distance must be available due to inclement weather), aircraft (within Manx airspace), vessels (within Manx territorial waters) or vehicles and must be seemly and dignified. Locations do not need to offer reception facilities.

There are two types of approval available on the Isle of Man:

• 3 year Place Approval: This is valid for 3 consecutive years covering civil marriage and/or civil partnership ceremonies at a place, aircraft, vessel or vehicle. This approval is renewable.
• Consent of the Chief Registrar: This is valid for one ceremony only at the specified time, date and location. This consent is not renewable.

An owner/proprietor/trustee wishing to apply for 3 year Place Approval must do so by completing the relevant application form, supplying the requested documentation and a cheque for the prescribed fee of £1,600 made payable to 'Isle of Man Government', sending them to the Civil Registry. An application form can only be used in respect of one place but must include details of a private interview room and may include more than one location within that place.

A couple who wish to apply for Consent of the Chief Registrar for a ceremony at a one-off location should complete the relevant application form, supplying the requested documentation and enclosing a cheque for the prescribed fee of £225 made payable to 'Isle of Man Government', sending them to the Civil Registry. Please note that this is an application fee and that additional prescribed fees will be payable.

• Application for approval for a place for the solemnization of civil marriages and/or formation of civil partnerships (3 year approval)
  
  
• Application for approval of an aircraft, vehicle or vessel for the solemnization of civil marriages and/or formation of civil partnerships (3 year approval)
  
  
• Application for consent of the Chief Registrar for the solemnization of a civil marriage/formation of a civil partnership in a place other than an approved place
  
  
• Application for the consent of the Chief Registrar for the solemnization of a civil marriage/formation of a civil partnership on an aircraft, vehicle or vessel other than an approved aircraft, vehicle or vessel

Time frames for processing applications will vary according to each application and often depend on the nature of the venue. A renewal application can be submitted anytime during the final 6 months of the current approval. The place, aircraft, vessel or vehicle will be inspected for suitability by a representative of the Civil Registry as part of the application process. Once approval has been granted, the place, aircraft, vessel or vehicle will be issued with a Certificate of Approval and Appendix for each location. Conditions may be imposed on your Appendix by the Chief Registrar.

Places wishing to apply to become an Approved Place should not advertise or take bookings for any civil marriage or civil partnership ceremonies until the application is complete and approval has been granted.