Can you get married or register a civil partnership in the UK?

This page explains whether you can get married or register a civil partnership in the UK.

If both of you are in the UK

If you and your future husband, wife or civil partner are both in the UK but at least one of you is subject to immigration control, you will need to give notice to marry or register your civil partnership with a registrar at a 'designated office'. The Giving notice page contains more information.

Since 9 May 2011, you do not need to obtain a Certificate of Approval before you marry or register your civil partnership.

If one or both of you are abroad

If either partner is not already in the UK, they will need to obtain a visa before they come to the UK to marry or register their civil partnership, unless they:

  • are a British citizen; or
  • are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, or the family member of a national of the EEA who has the right of residence in the UK; or
  • have a certificate of entitlement in your passport, giving them the right to live in the UK; or
  • are not subject to immigration control.

The visa that you need will depend on how long you intend to stay in the UK:

  • If you will be coming to the UK for a short time, and you plan to leave the UK soon after the ceremony, you must obtain a visa as a visitor for marriage or civil partnership. See the Visitors for marriage or civil partnership section.
  • If you are planning to come to the UK to get married or register a civil partnership with someone who is already settled or settling here, and you want to stay in the UK afterwards, you will need to obtain a visa as a fiance(e) or proposed civil partner. Both you and your partner must be aged 18 or over, and you will need to show evidence that you plan to marry or register your civil partnership within 6 months of your arrival. See the Fiance(e)s and proposed civil partners section.

When you have obtained your visa and have arrived in the UK, you will need to give notice to marry or register your civil partnership with a registrar at a 'designated office'. The Giving notice page contains more information.

Go to Gov.uk for more information on getting married in the UK.