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How do I get married or register a civil partnership in the United Kingdom?

This page explains whether you are able to get married or register a civil partnership in the United Kingdom.

If you or your future husband, wife or civil partner are 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.

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. You should read the page on documents for details of who needs a certificate of approval to marry in the United Kingdom.

The rules on certificate of approval do not apply to you if you:

  • 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.

Religious ceremonies

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.

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.

See also

Terms explained

  • European Economic Area

    Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.

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