A legal guide to getting married abroad
Many couples are attracted to the idea of getting married abroad, but are put off by the perceived red tape. Getting married abroad needn’t be complicated as long as you do your research.
The legalities of getting married abroad vary from country to country. The best approach to allaying your fears is to check everything out thoroughly, and well in advance of your ceremony abroad.
Here are some tips on how to make sure you have all the necessities for your wedding abroad.
Legal status
The key thing to check out, when it comes to legal status, is that your marriage is valid in both the country where you plan to hold your ceremony abroad, and in your home country.
To find out about the legal status of your wedding abroad in your destination country, the best way to get the most reliable information is to contact the relevant embassy or consulate.
For your marriage abroad to also be recognised at home you must abide by the legal requirements in your home country. For example if you are under 18, you still need a parental letter of consent as you would at home, regardless of the law in the country where you have chosen to hold your ceremony abroad. For up-to-date advice contact the British Embassy.
Documentation
To marry abroad you will usually need some documentation to prove your identity and eligibility. You will need to check on a country-by-country basis but it’s possible you’ll need to following:
· Full Birth Certificate.
· Passport (which will still be valid for at least six months).
· Sworn Affidavits – statement signed and stamped by a solicitor confirming both parties are free to marry.
· Notice of Marriage / Certificate of Freedom to Marry
· Proof of Residence –documentation with proof of your current residence.
· If you are divorced – a Decree Absolute.
· If you are a widower – a Death certificate and previous Marriage Certificate.
· If you are adopted – an Adoption certificate.
· If you are under 18 – letter of consent from a parent or guardian.
· If you have changed your name by deed poll – stamped proof by a solicitor.
You will need the original documents, not copies, and if any of them are not in English they will need to be translated.
Registering your wedding abroad at home
Once you have been married abroad it is essential that you obtain an official marriage certificate with an accurate English translation.
When you return from your wedding abroad you can use this document for official purposes, such as changing bank details etc.
If you wish you can sometimes (depending where you held your wedding abroad) deposit a record of the marriage (this isn’t the same as registering it) with the General Register Office. The General Register Office can then issue you with an official copy of your marriage certificate, should you ever need it.
Timing
When you are planning and looking into the legalities of your wedding abroad, make sure you factor in the time to meet any legal requirements. This includes allowing time for your original documentation to become available, meeting deadlines for submitting documentation, and allowing for any necessary periods of residency required before your ceremony abroad can be held.