Marriages
Frequently Asked Questions
The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can help you find answers to questions you may have about marriages.
Use the links below to access the answers.
1 Am I subject to immigration control?
2 Will I be given leave to remain in the country once I am married?
3 Can I register my overseas marriage here?
4 Can we get married outside or in a hot air balloon?
5 Can I become a registrar?
6 Can I conduct a marriage ceremony just for one wedding (eg two friends marrying)?
7 Can my own property be approved for civil marriages / civil partnerships?
Q1. Am I subject to immigration control?
If you are a British citizen, an EEA national or have right of abode in the UK you are not subject to immigration control. This will show in your passport as a ‘Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode’
If you are subject to immigration control you must hold one of the following to be able to marry in the UK:
- a valid visa or entry clearance granted expressly for the purpose of enabling you to marry in the UK. This will show as a sticker in your passport.
- you hold a Certificate of Approval issued by the Home Office for the purpose of marriage
- you have settled status in the UK. If this is the case your passport will be endorsed with the fact you have ‘indefinite leave to remain’ or ‘there is no time limit on the holders stay in the UK’
To be able to give a notice of marriage you and your partner must attend at a designated register office (pdf, 26k) and produce evidence of one of the above. If you are unsure of your immigration status contact the Home Office on 0870 606 7766. Alternatively go to http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk for further information. We cannot advise on your immigration status.
Q2. Will I be given leave to remain in the country once I am married?
This is a matter for the Home Office. We are unable to answer these type of enquiries and you should contact the Home Office on 0870 606 7766. Alternatively go to http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk for further information.
Q3. Can I register my overseas marriage here?
No, overseas marriages may not be registered at a register office. However, you can apply to have your overseas marriage documents, with translations if necessary, sent from the country where you were married and deposited with the General Register Office provided certain conditions apply. See Can I register my overseas marriage in England and Wales for more information or contact the Overseas Section on + 44 (0) 151 471 4801 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
Q4. Can we get married outside or in a hot air balloon?
Marriages can only be solemnized in a register office, a building approved for civil marriage, e.g. hotel, an Anglican Church or in any other religious building which is registered for marriage.
Q5. Can I become a registrar?
Registration officers are appointed by the local authority (e.g. County, Metropolitan district, London borough) in which they will then work. If you are interested in any forthcoming vacancies you should contact your local authority’s registration service manager. Your local register office may be able to advise who best to approach within the local authority.
Q6. Can I conduct a marriage ceremony just for one wedding (e.g. two friends marrying)?
All those conducting marriage ceremonies have to be duly appointed in law to an appropriate post. There are legal responsibilities which come with the duty of conducting a ceremony, and possible legal liabilities should proceedings not be carried out in line with marriage law. It would not be appropriate for someone who had not been fully trained in the necessary requirements to conduct a marriage ceremony, and therefore an appointment for a single marriage is unlikely.
Q7. Can my own property be approved for civil marriages / civil partnerships?
Applications for approval are made to the local authority (County, Borough etc) in which the premises are situated. However, amongst other requirements, a premise must be "regularly available to the public for either marriage ceremonies or the formation of civil partnerships” The local authority will want to be satisfied that this is the case, which would preclude the approval of private houses.
