Immigration Corner | British citizen planning to marry outside the UK

Dear Mr Bassie,

I am a British citizen. I plan to marry outside of the United Kingdom (UK) and would like to ensure that the marriage is recognised in the UK. Any advice would be appreciated.

EL

Dear EL,

With respect to getting married or registering a civil partnership abroad, people who want to get married or register a civil partnership abroad will need to follow the process in the chosen country.

Before proceeding it is advisable that they check the law in the chosen country to make sure that they can get married or register a civil partnership. They should also ensure that they understand the processes they will need to follow. People can usually find out this information from the person conducting their ceremony or the wedding venue.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED

People might need certain documents to prove that they are free to marry or register a civil partnership, for example, a certificate of no impediment, or an affirmation. They should first find out what documents they will need, how to apply for them and how much they will cost.

MARRIAGE IN JAMAICA

If getting married in Jamaica, people should make sure that they can get married. The marriage will be recognised in the United Kingdom if they follow the correct process according to the law in Jamaica and if it would be allowed under UK law. The person conducting the ceremony or relevant local authority can help to understand the processes needed to follow to get married, including what documents will be needed.

If asked to provide a certificate of no impediment or marital status affirmation, persons should explain that the UK does not issue these for Commonwealth countries.

Marriage registration

Please note that marriages that take place abroad according to another country’s law are not added to UK records. A persons marriage will be registered in Jamaica instead. The person conducting the ceremony can advise on how to obtain a marriage certificate. Persons will not be able to register at or get a certificate from a UK register office, or British embassy or consulate. They should keep their marriage certificate as evidence of the marriage. Just for completeness, when necessary ,persons should find a qualified translator to get it translated, especially if they want to use the document elsewhere.

GET MARRIED OR REGISTER A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP AT A BRITISH EMBASSY, CONSULATE OR HIGH COMMISSION

Please note, for those people who are unable to get married or register a civil partnership in their chosen country, it might be possible to conduct it at a British high embassy, consulate or high commission instead. This is known as a ‘consular marriage’ or ‘consular civil partnership’.

People should check which countries offer consular marriage and consular civil partnership and the processes that they will need to follow.

I hope this helps.

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com