Getting Married In The United Kingdom |
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If you or your future husband, wife or civil partner is not nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can visit the United Kingdom together to get married or register a civil partnership as long as you intend to leave the country within six months.
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If you are planning to get married or register your civil partnership in the United Kingdom and you are subject to immigration control while in the United Kingdom, you may need to apply for a certificate of approval from the Home Office.
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The rules on certificate of approval do not apply to you if you:
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are a British citizen;
are a national of a country in the EEA or the family member of a national of the EEA who has the Right of Residence in the United Kingdom;
have a certificate of entitlement in your passport giving you the right to live in the United Kingdom; or
are not subject to immigration control.
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Religious Ceremonies
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The rules on Certificate of Approval do not currently apply if you plan to get married at an Anglican Church in England or Wales, after marriage banns or with a religious licence. You should contact a member of the clergy at the church where you plan to get married for more help.
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If you plan to marry in any other form of religious ceremony, you will need to contact the people who will be conducting the ceremony.
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Documents Required
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A person who is subject to immigration control (and who is not an EEA national or a Swiss national) needs to produce following in order to be able to come to the United Kingdom for marriage.
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Applying from overseas
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If you are currently outside the United Kingdom and are coming to the United Kingdom to get married or to enter a civil partnership, the documents you require will depend on how long you intend to stay in the United Kingdom.
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If you are coming to the United Kingdom as a visitor for marriage or civil partnership, you must get entry clearance (permission to enter) for a visit for marriage or a visit for civil partnership.
If you are planning to travel to the United Kingdom to get married or register a civil partnership with someone already settled here and you plan to stay in the country afterwards, you will need entry clearance (permission to enter) as a fianc�(e) or proposed civil partner.
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If you are applying for entry clearance as a fianc�/e or proposed civil partner, both people involved must be aged 21 or over.
Before travelling, you should apply for your entry clearance. You will need to show evidence that you plan to enter into a marriage or civil partnership during the period for which you have been granted permission to stay (this will normally be six months).
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Applying in the United Kingdom
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If you are already in the United Kingdom and do not have settled status (permission to live here permanently) you will need to apply to the Home Office for a Certificate of Approval before giving notice to a registrar to marry or register your civil partnership.
The certificate of approval requirement does not currently apply to marriages in the Anglican Church in England and Wales.
If you are planning to get married in the UK during your visit, please contact us, if you need further information.
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