COUPLES wanting to get married in St Helens may have to fork out a little extra following a price review for registrar services.

Since 1995 local authorities have been able to charge for the attendance of the registrars at marriage ceremonies taking place at approved premises.

From December 2005, councils have been able to set the fees for the attendance of registrars for marriage and also civil partnership ceremonies held in approved premises.

In St Helens there are currently eleven approved premises where such ceremonies can take place.

Following a price review, a delegated decision has been taken by a council officer to increase fees from April 1, 2019 and then again from April 1, 2020.

These will be subject to further increases during the financial year if required.

The proposals will bring the fees in St Helens broadly in line with neighbouring authorities and will take into account inflation since they were last reviewed.

The following fees to be increased in 2019-20:

  • Ceremony room town hall civil ceremony fees: Monday to Thursday, from £200 to £220; Friday, from £230 to £250; Saturday, from £260 to £280
  • Council chamber town hall civil ceremony fees: Friday from, £400 to £420; Saturday £450 to £470
  • Approved premises civil ceremony fees: Monday to Thursday, from £340 to £360; Friday £380 to £400; Saturday, from £400 to £420; Sunday, from £475 to £495; bank holidays, from £500 to £520
  • Naming ceremonies, conversion of civil partnership to marriage or renewal of vows ceremonies (non-statutory), ceremony room town hall: Monday to Thursday, from £200 to £220; Friday, from £230 to £250; Saturday, from £260 to £280
  • Naming ceremonies, conversion of civil partnership to marriage or renewal of vows ceremonies (non-statutory), approved premises: Monday to Thursday, from £275 to £295; Friday, from £300 to £320; Saturday, from £350 to £370; Sunday, from £400 to £420; bank holidays, from £450 to £470

The following fees to be increased in 2020-21;

  • Ceremony room town hall civil ceremony fees: Monday to Thursday, from £220 to £240; Friday, from £250 to £270; Saturday, from £280 to £300
  • Council chamber town hall civil ceremony fees: Friday, from £420 to £440; Saturday, from £470 to £490
  • Approved premises civil ceremony fees: Monday to Thursday, from £360 to £380; Friday, from £400 to £420; Saturday, from £420 to £440; Sunday, from £495 to £515; bank holidays, from £520 to £540
  • Naming ceremonies, conversion of civil partnership to marriage or renewal of vows ceremonies (non-statutory), ceremony room town hall: Monday to Thursday, from £220 to £240; Friday, from £250 to £270; Saturday, from £280 to £300
  • Naming ceremonies, conversion of civil partnership to marriage or renewal of vows ceremonies (non-statutory), approved premises: Monday to Thursday, from £295 to £315; Friday, from £320 to £340; Saturday, from £370 to £390; Sunday, from £420 to £440; bank holidays, from £470 to £490