Search Leicestershire marriage licences browse, 1604-1891

Marriage licences include information that may be pertinent to your family history research. Such details may include

• Intended couples’ names
• Birth years of the couples
• Residences of the couples
• The year and date that the marriage licence was given
• Parish, denomination, and county information

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Civil registration was passed in 1837, which means that for vital records, such as those for marriages, parish registers are imperative for gathering essential details for family history research like dates, names, and places. Parish registers date as far back as 1538.

Most couples were married by banns: the publications on three successive Sundays of a couple's intention to marry. However, some marriages were authorised by licence, which could be obtained for a fee if a couple wished to waive the customary reading of the banns. There are several reasons why a couple might want to do so, such as the need to expedite the wedding date.

Along with a marriage licence fee, the couples were required to submit a bond and allegation, or sworn statement, asserting that there were no lawful impediments to the marriage. In addition, the allegation would provide information relating to the residence, occupation, marital status, and age of the applicant. The pledged bond, usually between £40 and £200, would be forfeited if it were discovered that the bride and groom were descended from the same ancestor.

Leicestershire is a county located in the English East Midlands. The county is landlocked and bordered by Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Rutland counties.