Advice For Getting Married Abroad

Is it possible to legally get married abroad?

Yes, it is.

You could consider a Caribbean beach wedding, Bahamas wedding or a 'drive thru' marriage in Las Vegas, not forgetting the famous Gretna Green in Scotland.

Will our marriage abroad be recognised here?

Generally speaking yes, providing that it complied with the law of the Country where it took place and that the Bride and Groom were both lawfully free to marry under that country's laws.

If you are concerned about the validity of a marriage held abroad you should seek legal advice. In such circumstances it may be possible to petition the Courts for a declaration of status under Section 55 of the Family Law Act 1986.

If the marriage certificate you are given is not in English it may be advisable to organise a literal translation for official purposes.

How do I arrange to marry abroad?

This will depend on the country in which you wish to marry. There are many tour operators and travel Companies which specialise in arranging marriages overseas. We suggest that you ask at your local Travel Agent.

They should advise you on the documents you would need to provide, if there was a minimum length of stay in the country before you could marry and if you need to obtain a 'certificate of no impediment' before you go.

You may find it helpful to contact the relevant country's embassy for advice. There is also general advice available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office site.

What is a Certificate of No Impediment?

This is a document, required in some countries, which states that there is no known impediment to your proposed marriage. These certificates vary in the length of time they are valid for (sometimes just for a few months), so it is important to check the requirements which apply to your circumstances. Please also be aware that a Certificate of No Impediment may be insufficient on its own to allow a marriage to take place in a foreign country.

This certificate can be prepared by the Registrar at any of register office.

The cost of this certificate is £33.50 per person - you will need to take various identification documents with you, which will be explained to you when you telephone to book the appointment.

Subject to there being no complications, the actual Certificate of No Impediment will be issued between 17 and 23 days after your appointment.

Can we register our marriage abroad here?

A marriage which took place abroad under foreign local law cannot 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 Foreign and Commonwealth Office via the  General Register Office, (telephone 0151 471 4803) 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.

How do I get an apostille?

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 Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

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