booked our date! Terrrified about giving notice...don't know what to say

Good timing as I did mine today

First of all, relax.

The interview is about 30 minutes long. They simply ask a few things about you and your partner, to confirm your identity and to see if you do actually know him/her (to try and identify sham marriages). This may typically be questions like their date/location of birth, occupation, how long you've been together - but varies so you can't just practise a few answers! They expect people to be nervous and perhaps hesitate (I couldn't remember my b2b's postcode straight away for example because I never use it, but eventually I remembered it) so don't worry when it comes.

Your registrar should tell you (possibly on their website) what paperwork each of you need to take with you to the interview - typically passport, birth certificate and something like a gas bill to prove your residence in that district.

The two complications are 1) if one of you is under "immigration control" or are not naturalised EU citizens, and 2) if one (or both) of you been married previously, in which case you'll need to prove that you are free to remarry (show the Decree Absolute). However, if you qualify under either of these issues the website should provide further details.

The interview is typically £30-£35 for each of you, then plus whatever the registrars fees are for the actual ceremony based on whether it's in the registry office or a licensed venue. Church weddings have different fees.

You'll need to book an appointment for each of you (you can't both use the same 30 minute slot afaik) which could be one after the other. If you currently live in different areas you'll need to do the interview in your home districts, then after 15 days you get the certificate from the registrars, and when you both have them you can then proceed with planning the ceremony with the registrars in the district you're getting married in.

We went to give notice last week and it really is nothing to worry about at all, they ask you details about yourself such as name, D.O.B, address, occupation, nationality, father's name and occupation. All I remember them asking me about my H2B was his full name, D.O.B, address, nationality, occupation and if he's ever been married before. It really isn't anything t oworry yourself about.

Congratulations on booking your date though, enjoy all the time you've got to plan your perfect day.

Don't worry, you'll only have a problem if you are related (cringe) or its a marriage of convenience. They only ask you to confirm your details, you don't need to practice any answers its not like a test or anything, they just want to make sure you are who you say you are and your not being forced into the marriage.

Just be yourself and relax. I believe that you can manage to answer the questions. Just think that this is your special day, there is no need to be tense.

I was quite nervous before we gave notice - I kept thinking they'd ask me obscure information about OH's family such as where his parents got married etc. That said I was also very nervous when I had to attend the interview for my passport!

We were seen together, and it wasn't really that bad, the registrar was lovely. OH was asked questions about himself and I was asked questions about myself - nothing major. I did take loads of paperwork with me, because I was worried we'd be turned away before I'd forgot a certain document. I was born after Jan 1983 so I needed to take my Mum's birth certificate with me, plus my own Birth Cert, Passport, Driving Licence and a bill which had my address on. OH just needed his Passport, driving licence, birth cert and a bill (the same bill was used for us both - a letter regarding our mortgage).

It was all over in about 30mins, and afterwards I wondered excatly what I'd been so worried about.