Many people choose to marry outside this country, anywhere from a beach in the Caribbean to a drive through ceremony in Las Vegas.
These marriages take place abroad under foreign local law. If you are planning such a ceremony, you should contact the relevant Embassy or Authority in this country for advice. There is also advice available by going into the FAQ section of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office site and looking at the information on marriages overseas.
Notice for marriages abroad
Some countries require you to produce a certificate of no impediment, obtained in the UK from the registration office in the area where you live. Often there is a requirement to have this translated. You need to book an appointment to give notice, after which the certificate may be issued 15 or 21 days later. You need to establish exactly how the venue of the marriage is to be shown on the certificate. Bear in mind that some countries require this to bear an issue date within three or six months before the marriage. Please telephone us for further advice.
Can I register my marriage in the UK?
A marriage which took place abroad under foreign local law can not be registered here unless one of the couple is a serving member of, or is attached to, the British Armed Forces at the time of the marriage. This should be discussed with the Forces prior to the marriage taking place.
However, a record of the marriage may be lodged with the General Register Office (telephone 0300 123 1837, option 1) by depositing an original marriage certificate; this only applies to certain countries and where it is possible a fee will be required. This means that in future a marriage certificate could be issued by the General Register Office here, should the need arise.
What is an apostille and how do I get one?
Certain countries may require an official document, such as a birth certificate to be further authenticated. Full details of this service are available from:
The Legalisation Office
Norfolk House (West)
437 Silbury Boulevard
Milton Keynes
MK9 2AH
Tel: 01908 295111
Email LegalisationOffice@fco.gov.uk