Community directory

Holding a Marriage or Civil Partnership Ceremony Abroad

If you wish to marry or form a civil partnership abroad according to the laws of that country you must ensure that you know and follow the regulations. To hold a ceremony in another country there are minimum residency requirements and this time will be built into the overall length of your stay. Most countries will need to see certain documents. Your travel agent will make it clear to you exactly which are required or contact Marriages Abroad at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (Tel 020 7008 0186) between 9.30am and 12.30pm. The website address is www.fco.gov.uk/bmd and Email: bmdenquiries@fco.gov.uk

In some cases you will be asked for a certificate of no impediment. This can be obtained by giving notice of marriage to your local Register Office.

Whilst legally recognised, marriages abroad cannot be registered for British subjects in the UK. However it may be possible for the record of an overseas marriage to be lodged at the General Register Office of the Office of National Statistics. (Tel 0151 471 4801). This would enable the General Register Office to issue a marriage certificate at some time in the future.