Do I Need to Register Marriage in UK if I Married Abroad?

From the exotic to serene and mountains to turquoise water – more couples are getting married abroad in hopes that their special day will be blessed with warm sunshine or action-packed adventure. A common question is “do I need to register my marriage in the UK if I get married abroad”? 

If you’re planning to tie the knot abroad and celebrate with your toes in the sand or throw a memorable apres-ski soiree in a cosy chalet, and are wondering, “are marriages abroad recognised in the UK?” or if you are looking for information on how to register marriage abroad in UK legal institutions, or even change your name after a destination wedding, this article is for you! 

Do I need to register my marriage in the UK if I get married abroad? 

If you’re getting married overseas, there is no requirement to register your marriage in UK – one less thing to add to your “to-do” list. Foreign marriage certificate will be accepted for official purposes throughout the UK as long as it was legally contracted in the country of your wedding.

If your marriage certificate is not in English or Welsh, you’ll need to supply an official translation from a certified translation service.

Ask the translation company to confirm in writing on the official translation that:

1. It is a “true and accurate translation of the original document”
2. the date of the translation
3. the full name and contact details of the translator or a representative of the translation company

We recommend ordering 2-4 official copies from your translation company because if you’re planning a name change after marriage, this will enable multiple name-change requests to be sent off in parallel.

If you get married abroad is it legal in the UK? 

To ensure your dream destination wedding is legal and binding we recommend doing your research. The legal validity of your marriage is governed by the laws of the country in which you are getting married and not the laws of the country in which you reside.

“What happens in Vegas…”

You know the saying, “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” – well, if you’re planning on heading off to the Little White Chapel or another Las Vegas venue to say, “I do”, you’ll want to make sure that your wedding certificate doesn’t HAVE to stay in Vegas!

You’ll need to ensure that the ceremony is performed by an officiant who’s licensed in Nevada, and once complete, your marriage will be internationally recognised.

You can find plenty of useful information and advice on getting married abroad in Las Vegas on this website ,which also includes an order form that lets you request certified copies of your marriage certificate.

I got married abroad, how do I register it in the UK? 

Good News! There is no longer a legal requirement to register your marriage in the UK if you tied the knot abroad. As long as you have complied with the legal requirements of that country and it’s allowed under UK law, you’re good to go!

Now, if the question on your mind is, “where can I get married abroad that is legal in the UK,” you can rest assured that, as we just mentioned, as long as you’ve followed the rules of the country in which you wed and it would be recognised under UK law, you can get married in your dream location and it will be recognised in the UK. 

Same goes for British nationals living abroad. Provided that you followed the procedures and legal requirements of the country in which you got married, your marriage certificate will be legally recognised in the UK.

How to register marriage in the UK when married abroad

As of the 1st of January 2014, the British Government no longer offers the service to register your overseas marriage. Therefore, there is no need to register your marriage in the UK when married abroad. However, you’ll need to make sure your marriage is valid in that country as well as legally recognised under UK law (being at least 16 years of age, not closely related to your spouse and free to marry). 

As of the 1st of January 2014, the British Government no longer offers the service to register overseas marriages.

1. Research documentation needed: If you are a British citizen, you may need certain documents from the government in order to get married abroad. For example, some countries might require a certificate of no impediment (CNI). It’s a good idea to contact the local government of the country you intend to be married in to see what they require, as each country’s laws and requirements may differ.
2. Say your “I-do’s:” Get married! So long as you have followed the legal requirements of the country in which you wed AND it adheres to UK law, your marriage certificate will be recognised in the UK as official.
3. Translate if necessary: If your wedding or civil partnership certificate is not written in English or Welsh, you will need to arrange for a certified translation.

 If you are concerned that your overseas marriage might not be valid in the UK, you can contact the General Register Office for guidance. Should you find out that your marriage is NOT valid in the UK, you do have options, which include: getting married in the UK, applying for a declaration of validity, or applying for a court order. 

How do I get a copy of my marriage certificate if married abroad? 

We recommend you request 2 or 3 official copies of your marriage certificate at the time of your wedding. However, if you need additional copies or have misplaced yours, you will need to contact the local register office or equivalent of that country to request an official copy.

If you happen to fall on the opposite of the spectrum and are facing divorce and need a certified copy of your foreign marriage certificate, you will follow the same process in contacting the local authority. If you are seeking further information regarding divorce, from changing your name after divorce to tips for an amicable split, take a peek at our guide series, full of valuable information and helpful tips.

How can I get a UK overseas marriage certificate? 

As we mentioned previously, it’s best to contact the local register office or the equivalent of that country to request an official copy of your certificate.

If you are struggling to get a hold of original copies of your marriage certificate or if it’s too complex or costly to request the copies, you have the option to change your name via deed poll and NameSwitch makes changing your name via deed poll super-simple! 

How do you go about changing your name after getting married abroad?

Because here at NameSwitch, we love all things “name change” we thought you might want a little info on how to change your name after getting hitched abroad.

It’s best to begin the name change process when you arrive back home.

In the same way that anyone marrying in the UK needs to provide a copy of their marriage certificate to certain organisations, so will you. But you will need to have at least one original copy of your certificate if it’s in English or Welsh, or an official translation to accompany your foreign marriage certificate. Having 2-4 original copies will enable you to send off multiple name change requests in parallel.

Some companies will accept a photocopy/scan of your certificate to process name change requests but not all. Many government bodies and financially regulated companies such as The Passport Office, the DVLA, and your bank will need to see either the original marriage certificate or a certified copy (or a certified translation if applicable). To find out more about the change of name on passport process, take a peek at our helpful guide series.  

Remember, if you are planning on taking on your partner’s surname after you tie the knot, it’s a good idea to order 2-4 original copies of your marriage certificate so that you can begin changing your name once you get home with multiple organisations and companies simultaneously. To make your name change process super-simple, check out NameSwitch’s award-winning name change service!

Do I need a deed poll after getting married abroad?

If you are changing your surname to your partner’s surname after getting married abroad, you will not need to apply for a deed poll on your return to the UK, provided that your marriage certificate records both your surname and your partner’s surname.

However, there are some scenarios in which you may require a deed poll. For example, if you wish to “mesh” your joint surnames (e.g., Miss Price and Mr. Night becomes Pright), you will need a deed poll.

If you want further clarification on this matter, you may find our deed poll name change guide helpful to determine when a deed poll is needed to legally change your name useful. Or check out our legal deed poll service which will provide you with everything you need without the cost of hiring a solicitor! 

If your marriage certificate requires translation and/or that you only have one original copy, our Deed Poll Premium Print Package might be a most cost effective and speedy option for your name change.

While we can’t help you with the documentation that you will need to supply to the relevant authorities/registrar before getting married abroad, we can support you with changing your name once you’re home.

Do you have to register your marriage if you get married abroad?

We hope you now have some clarity on registering your marriage in the UK if you want to get married or if you’ve already said your “I-do’s” abroad. There is no legal requirement to register your marriage in the UK. As long as you’ve abided by the laws and processes in the country where your nuptials took place, your marriage is recognised in the UK.

One you’ve tied the knot and returned home, we know you’ll most likely have a long to-do list. If changing your name is on that list, let NameSwitch give you a helping hand. Our secure automated system will make changing your name super quick and easy. If you’re ready to take on your new name today, 3 simple steps is all it takes with NameSwitch!