Congratulatory Messages

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES FOR THOSE MARRIED AND LIVING IN NORTHERN IRELAND

What is a Congratulatory Message?

In 1917 His Majesty King George V began the tradition of sending messages of congratulations to those of his subjects celebrating their 100^thbirthdays and 60^thwedding anniversaries. Subsequent reigning monarchs have continued this custom.

When are Congratulatory Messages issued?

Congratulatory messages are issued on the following occasions:

Wedding anniversaries - The Queen sends messages to couples on the occasion of their 60^th, 65^th and 70^th wedding anniversaries and then every year thereafter.
Birthdays - The Queen sends messages to individuals on the occasion of their 100^th and 105^th birthdays and then every year thereafter.

Congratulatory messages, consisting of a card from Her Majesty, come in a distinctive envelope, are sent special delivery through the Royal Mail and arrive, when possible, on the day of the anniversary.

The following procedure applies to those married in Northern Ireland. For those married outside Northern Ireland please go to www.royal.gov.uk

How does someone receive a Congratulatory Message?

Receipt of a congratulatory message from Her Majesty The Queen for a qualifying wedding anniversary depends upon the successful verification of the date of the marriage.

Verification can be provided either by producing the original wedding certificate (or a legible photocopy) or by confirming the date of marriage via the General Register Office (GRO) records.

If you can access the marriage certificate of the parties celebrating their wedding anniversary please follow Procedure A. If you are unable to access the celebrants' marriage certificate and need to verify the date of marriage with the GRO please use Procedure B.

Please ensure that you leave sufficient time for the application to be processed.

If a congratulatory message has been received for a previous wedding anniversary please contact the Anniversary Clerk direct as the date of marriage will already have been verified.

Procedure A

Step 1

At least six weeks before the date of the anniversary contact the:

       Anniversary Clerk
       Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
       Central Appointments Unit
       Room E4.15
       Castle Buildings
       Belfast
       BT4 3SR

Telephone: 028 9052 8193

Fax: 028 9052 8125

Email: admin.cau@ofmdfmni.gov.uk

Step 2 Send the original or a legible photocopy of the marriage certificate to the Anniversary Clerk to verify the date of the marriage.

Legible photocopies would be preferred but original certificates, if submitted, will be returned.

On receipt of the certificate the Anniversary Clerk will make the application for a congratulatory message for you.

Procedure B

Step 1 At least six weeks before the date of the anniversary apply to the General Register Office either by telephoning their call centre on Belfast 028 9025 2000 or by using form GRO 42 (available here). See the guidance notes on the application form for details about how to apply and how much it will cost.

By telephone or in Section 3 of the form apply for either a copy of the Marriage Certificate or for a Search Only. Either will be acceptable for verification purposes.

Step 2 Contact the Anniversary Office and send the copy of the marriage certificate or the search letter from the GRO to the Anniversary Clerk at the address above. On receipt of this verification the Anniversary Clerk will make the application for a congratulatory message for you.

View the leaflet on Congratulatory Messages from Her Majesty The Queen (pdf 569.33 KB, 4 pages)