Overseas Marriage Registry |
Getting Married Abroad
Important note: It is essential that the names on all the documents provided match the names on your passports. If there are any discrepancies these need to be backed up with supporting documents with proof of legal name change (certificate or marriage, change of name by deed poll etc.)
Getting Married Abroad
Getting married as a British citizen abroad is often an excellent idea and one that has worked for many people before, but you should always be aware of the rules and laws in the country where you plan to get married.
We first recommend that you contact the relevant local authorities in the country where you are located to get detailed information on marriage laws, and any documents you will need. Also, it is a good idea to seek legal advice before making any concrete decisions.
Getting ready
You may be asked for a Certificate of no Impediment (CNI) (or a similar document) from the authorities in the country you wish to get married. This is to prove that you are actually allowed to get married legally. If you do need to obtain a CNI then you’ll need to contact your nearest British embassy or consulate to give them notice that you intend to get married.
When you go to the British Embassy or British consulate, you will also need the following:
- your passport
- either a
naturalisation certificate or full
birth certificate
- documents to show where you reside (check with embassy to see what documents you will need)
- the local
equivalent to the above documents for your partner
If either you or your partner have been married before and are widowed, divorced or were in a civil partnership then you need to provide the document below that is relevant to you:
- a
final order or decree absolute
- an annulment certificate or civil
partnership dissolution
- the death certificate of either you or your partner’s former spouse
However, when you contact you nearest British embassy or British consulate to inform them that you intend to get married, please confirm with them that the documents stated above are all that is required. They may have their own way of handling this.
When you go to the British embassy or British consulate in your country they will provide you will specific forms to fill in for official notification of marriage. The forms can be downloaded below and are a notice of marriage and an affidavit or oath, which is essentially a written statement of facts. You can download both the forms below (or linked above).
Please note: you can download and fill out the forms to take to the British embassy or consulate, but you need to sign them with a witness. Do not sign them in advance.
- Download ‘Notice of marriage’
here
- Download ’Affidavit for marriage’
here
Important note: It is essential that the names on all the documents provided match the names on your passports. If there are any discrepancies these need to be backed up with supporting documents with proof of legal name change (certificate or marriage, change of name by deed poll etc.)
As a final note it is important to check with the authorities in the country where you plan to get married to see if the CNI needs to be legalised by them.
Costs
Service
To receive a notice of marriage - £65
To issue a CNI or equivalent -
£65
To issue a certificate in English or any other consular letter - £45
To issue any other certificate or consular letter in another language - £70
To deposit a marriage certificate - £35
Making a declaration or
administering an oath - £55
If you are still unsure of anything, or something is not 100% clear then please follow the link to the official British Government website, where you will find a step-by-step guide explaining everything covered above.
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