Legal Requirements for the UK

Anyone can get married in the UK by either civil or religious wedding ceremony, regardless of where they live, provided that:

- Both parties must be legally free to marry.

- Both parties are not of the same sex.

- Both parties are not closely related.

- Both parties must be capable of understanding the nature of the ceremony.

- Both parties must be acting on own free will.

There are regional variations regarding the regulations for marriage throughout the UK. Please use the links for general guidance. The information supplied on the pages should not be regarded as a full and authorised statement of the law.

No legal distinction is made between UK nationals and foreign nationals. A marriage in the UK will be regarded as valid in any foreign country to which either party belongs.

If you are not an EEA or Swiss national and do not hold a UK passport or have a certificate of entitlement to adobe in the UK, you are subject to immigration control. You will need to apply for a marriage visitor visa or entry clearance in the country you are normally resident. Notice must be given in a specially designated registry office.