Getting married abroad? Here’s all the legal requirements you need to know about

Firstly, congratulations on your engagement!

Planning to get married abroad or register a civil partnership overseas can be an exciting adventure, but it’s important to understand the legal paperwork involved so your ceremony is recognised in the UK.

At Hegarty, our family law team regularly helps couples with preparing marriage affidavits, statutory declarations and other documents required for weddings and civil partnerships abroad. Here’s an overview to help you get started.

Why is legal paperwork so important for getting married abroad?

Every country has its own legal requirements for foreign nationals wishing to marry or register a civil partnership. The paperwork process can be simple in some destinations (like Las Vegas, where a valid passport might suffice) or more complex (for example, Italy or Greece, where additional legal documents and translations are required).

Failing to prepare the correct paperwork can result in your marriage not being legally recognised, which can cause complications later.

Key documents you may need

While requirements vary by country and you will need to check with the Embassy of the Country that you are planning to marry in to ascertain what documentation you will require, here are the most common documents UK couples usually need:

Certificate of No Impediment (CNI):
Issued by your local register office, this document confirms there’s no legal reason you cannot marry or enter a civil partnership. You apply in person and, after an approximately 29-day waiting period, the certificate is issued (valid for a limited time, often 3–6 months) and the fee is in the region of £30 to £40.

To get married in a wide range of countries, the Certificate of No Impediment will also need to be apostilled and legalised for use.

Single Status Statutory Declaration or Affidavit:
This declaration confirms you are single and free to marry. It must be signed in the presence of a UK solicitor or notary public. It typically includes:

• Full name (including any previous names)
• Address
• Passport number
• Confirmation of single status
• Confirmation that each party is single and free to marry according to the legal requirements of that country.

This document must be obtained within three months of your intended wedding date. If your ceremony has not taken place within the three-month time frame, your notice will be void and you will need to reapply.

Birth certificate:
Usually the long version showing your parents’ details. If you only have the short version, you can request the full certificate online from the General Register Office.

Passport:
A passport which must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.

Change of name deed:
If your current name is different to the name on your birth certificate and you’ve changed it by deed poll.

Decree Absolute:
If you’ve previously been married and are now divorced.

Death certificate of a former spouse:
If you are widowed.

Adoption certificate:
If applicable.

Naturalisation certificate:
If you became a UK citizen by naturalisation.

Other paperwork considerations

• Translations: If the destination country doesn’t use English, you may need official translations of the documents.
• Legalisation/Apostille stamp: Certain documents may need to be legalised by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to be recognised abroad.
• Town hall or embassy paperwork: Many destinations require additional local documents. Always contact the local town hall, registry or embassy in the country where you plan to marry as soon as you set your date.
• Original documents: Some countries require the original documents, which might need to be couriered safely.

If you are looking to get married or enter into a civil partnership abroad, it is wise to factor in the costs of obtaining and legalising the above-mentioned documents into your wedding budget.

Timing is critical

Most documents are only valid for a limited period (typically 3–12 months). Prepare too early and your paperwork could expire before your wedding. Prepare too late and you risk not having the documents in time.

After the wedding

If your marriage or civil partnership abroad meets the legal requirements of that country, it is usually recognised in the UK. You don’t need to register it again when you return. However, you may:

• Need to get your foreign marriage certificate translated into English.
• Need an Apostille stamp to use it as official proof of marriage in the UK.
• Want to order multiple copies of your marriage certificate abroad in case you lose one later.

If you’re planning to change your surname, the usual order is: banks first, then your passport, driving licence, HMRC and other records.

How can Hegarty help?

At Hegarty, we offer practical, friendly legal support for couples marrying or registering civil partnerships abroad. We can:

• Draft and witness statutory declarations
• Advise what documents you’ll need for your chosen destination
• Help you understand timescales, costs and legalisation requirements
• Assist you with changing your name after your big day

We understand planning a wedding abroad can be stressful, and we’re here to make the legal parts of the journey straightforward.

If you’d like advice or need help preparing marriage affidavits or statutory declarations, please get in touch with our experienced family law team today.