Historic Marriage Authorisations 1880-1924

We are delighted to offer you the opportunity to order online copies of Marriage Authorisation Certificates for marriages which took place under the auspices of the Office of the Chief Rabbi. This project was a collaboration between The United Synagogue and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain.

Granted by The United Synagogue to give permission to a local Rabbi to conduct a marriage ceremony. The Authorisation is granted after the authorities are satisfied that both parties are halachically Jewish or that they have an acceptable Certificate of Conversion.

These document are issued by the Office of the Chief Rabbi. They are not the certificates of marriage available from the different Registrar General’s departments which operate within the United Kingdom.

These records do not contain entries from the following religious authorities:

  • The Jewish Community in Ireland, subsequent to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922
  • The Federation of Synagogues since 1966
  • The Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations
  • The Sephardic congregations
  • The Reform and Liberal movements
  • Religious ceremonies conducted in the presence of a representative of the local Superintendent Registrar’s office, when the event is entered directly into their register
  • The proposed place and date of marriage
  • The Hebrew and English names of the bride and groom
  • Their addresses
  • Their country of origin
  • The Hebrew names of the groom’s unmarried brothers and which ones intend to attend the marriage ceremony
  • Other miscellaneous information
  • Sometimes these fields are incomplete/illegible

Sample of a historic marriage authorisation

Marriage certificates can be found using the search below. When you proceed to order you will need to supply your name and address, a contact email address, valid credit/debit card information.  Marriage Authorisations will be sent via email.

  • £15 for United Synagogue or JGSGB members.
  • £20 for non-members.

Marriage Authorisation Search





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