Getting married or registering a civil partnership abroad
Getting your marriage or civil partnership certificate
When you get married or form a civil partnership abroad, the authorities in your chosen country will register it in their national civil records.
Speak to the person conducting your ceremony to find out how to get your marriage or civil partnership certificate.
You may want to get your foreign certificate translated. This can be helpful if you plan to use it outside of the country where it was issued.
You cannot get a UK marriage or civil partnership certificate if your marriage or civil partnership happened abroad. Only UK marriages and civil partnerships are registered in the UK.
If you want a UK marriage or civil partnership certificate, you can choose to have a legal ceremony in the UK and a commitment ceremony abroad.
A foreign marriage or civil partnership is recognised in the UK if:
- it was lawful in the country where it took place
- it would be allowed under UK law
Consular marriage and civil partnership certificates
If you get a consular marriage or consular civil partnership at a British embassy, high commission or consulate abroad, it will be registered in the UK civil records.
You’ll also get a UK marriage or civil partnership certificate.