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How to get married or form a civil partnership in the UK, giving notice of marriage at a register office, visas, paying fees.

• Check if you can get married or form a civil partnership

  You can get married or form a civil partnership in England or Wales if…

• If you or your partner are from outside the UK or Ireland

  You must apply for a visa to come to the UK to give notice, get married or…

• Plan your ceremony

  You must decide where to have your marriage or civil partnership ceremony…

• Give notice

  You must sign a legal statement at your local register office to say you…

• Documents you'll need to give notice

  You must bring originals of the following documents to your appointment:…

• Your legal rights and responsibilities

  When you get married or form a civil partnership, you get certain legal…

Apply for a visa to visit the UK if you want to marry or register a civil partnership within 6 months - eligibility, documents, how to apply, how much it costs

• Overview

  You must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if: you want to get married or…

• Eligibility

  You must prove that: you’re 18 or over you’re free to give notice of…

• Documents you'll need

  You must provide a passport or travel document. Your passport should be…

• Apply from outside the UK

  If you need a visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK.…

Apply for a Temporary Work – International Agreement visa if you're working under international law (including diplomatic households) - extend or switch, family members

• Overview

  You can apply for a Temporary Work – International Agreement visa if…

• Eligibility

  You can apply for a Temporary Work – International Agreement visa if you:…

• Knowledge of English for private servants

  If you’re a private servant applying from outside the UK, you may need to…

• Documents you must provide

  When you apply you’ll need to provide: your certificate of sponsorship…

• Apply from outside the UK

  Read the full guidance before you apply. Apply for a Temporary Work -…

• Your partner and children

  Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as…

• Extend your visa

  You can apply to extend your Temporary Work – International Agreement…

How you can have a marriage annulled, the reasons you can give for annulling a marriage and the forms you will need to apply for an annulment. This includes information from the withdrawn D191 guide.

In the biggest overhaul to marriage law since the 19th century, reforms are set to give marrying couples greater freedom and boost the economy by £535 million.

• Updated: 2 October 2025

Find out how to import your personal belongings, pets and private motor vehicles when moving or returning to the UK.

• Updated: 12 November 2025

Marriage Allowance allows you to transfer some of your Personal Allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner: what you get and how to apply for free.

Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months), medical treatment and other activities. Find out whether you need a Standard Visitor visa, or can visit without a visa.

Check you can get a divorce, agree or disagree with a divorce application, what to do if your husband or wife lacks mental capacity.

Apply for a forced marriage protection order - documents, urgent orders, attend a hearing