If you have chosen to marry or form a civil partnership abroad contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate for the country where you are having the ceremony to ensure that you are aware of, and comply with, all the required legal preliminaries to your ceremony.
Marrying or forming a civil partnership abroad
For marriages or civil formation which are to take place in the United States of America, there is no provision to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment from England or Wales. Contact the authorities of the state in which you wish to marry or form your partnership in, for information about the documents you require.
For a British person marrying or forming a civil partnership with a foreign national abroad a Certificate of No Impediment may also be required. In this case notice must be given at least 23 days in advance.
Please note: The Certificate of No Impediment may not be recognised by the authorities in some countries. You should always check directly with the relevant embassy or consulate. Don't rely on information provided by Travel Companies.
Can my overseas marriage or civil partnership formation be registered here?
On your return you will not be able to have your marriage or civil partnership recorded in the registers where you live.
British citizens who marry or form a civil partnership in a foreign country can take a copy of their certificate, with a translation, to the British Embassy/Consulate. They will verify the translation and send the documents to the General Register Office, who will then be able to issue a certified copy if requested. A fee will be charged for this service. Contact General Register Office website or telephone 0151 471 4801 for further information.
If this is not done through the Embassy in the foreign country then it may be done on return to this country through the Consular Division of the Foreign Office. A copy of the marriage or civil partnership certificate can be deposited, with a translation, under 'Article 7 Marriage Deposit', for which a fee will be charged.
Contact the Nationality and Passport Section on 0207 008 0186 Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12.30pm. This does not apply to marriages in Commonwealth Countries.
The translation need not be made officially, but it must not be done by the parties to the marriage or civil partnership or a member of their families. The name and address of the translator must be given with his or her signature.
