Weddings Abroad - Registering Foreign Marriages in the United Kingdom
There are many countries around the world that allow foreign nationals to get married within a few days of arriving. Such weddings require a degree of planning and we suggest that a professional wedding organiser who has experience of organising weddings abroad is employed.
Marriages abroad are legal in the United Kingdom provided the laws of the country in which the marriage service is conducted are complied with.
But- oversees marriages cannot be registered in the UK. Unless:
a) one of the parties is a serving member off the British armed forces.
b) One or both parties is a British Citizen and the wedding takes place in a country in which the General Register Office (GRO) can accept formal notifications (article 7 Marriages) then a record can be made for the overseas wedding by sending the marriage certificate and translations where possible to the General registry Office.
Requirements for registration of marriage by the General Registry Office.
- Contact the GRO in the UK
- Contact the British embassy in the country of the marriage and state that you wish to deposit your marriage certificate with the GRO
- Provide certified copies of certificate to embassy in the country of marriage. Certificate will need to be translated into English and authorized. (fee required)
- The British Consular General will forward the certificate to the GRO in the UK. Once the documentation has been received by the GRO notification will be sent. You can then request a copy of the marriage certificate from the GRO
It is recommended that you always find exact and official rules pertaining to weddings in the country in which you intend to marry and that you also check that there have not been any changes to the law since these instructions were written.
For related and required information visit the following official websites:
overseas certificates
General Register Office
Foreign and Commonwealth Office