Search Cheshire Marriage Licence Bonds and Allegations 1606 - 1905

Each record contains an image and a transcript of the original document. The amount of information varies but in general you can find the following about your ancestor:

• Bride’s name
• Groom’s name
• Date of marriage
• Bride’s father’s name
• Bride’s mother’s name
• Groom’s father’s name
• Groom’s mother’s name
• Bride’s age
• Groom’s age
• Parish
• Date of licence
• Bride’s birthplace
• Bride’s residence
• Groom’s birthplace
• Groom’s residence
• Bride’s marital status
• Groom’s occupation
• Groom’s marital status

The Cheshire marriage licence bonds and allegations cover and area made up of Cheshire and South Lancashire, up to the River Ribble.

Couples who chose to marry by licence, instead of the more customary reading of the banns, needed to swear a statement, or allegation, asserting there was no lawful impediment to the marriage.

The allegations were meant to include the age, residence, occupation and marital state of the applicant. Parental consent and signatures would be given for minors.

Until 1823, the parties were also subject to a surety bond, which was usually entered into by the groom and another person and the details of which are filed with the licences.

Cheshire is situated in the North West of England. On the west it borders Flintshire and Wrexham in Wales with Merseyside and Greater Manchester to the north, Derbyshire to the east and Shropshire and Staffordshire to the south.

Copyright images reproduced by courtesy of the Cheshire Archives and Local Studies Service, Chester, England.

The Cheshire Archives and Local Studies Service gives no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided.

Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education. Applications for any other use should be made to Cheshire Archives and Local Studies Service, Cheshire Record Office, Duke Street, Chester CH1 1RL. Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action.