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 0151 471 4801)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.