Validity of foreign marriages in the UK

Marriage in the UK is governed by separate and different legislation in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. None of the Register Offices in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland issue certificates of marital status.

Marriage of British nationals abroad is governed by “THE MARRIAGE WITH FOREIGNERS ACT 1906 (as amended)”. Only a UK court of law can determine whether a particular marriage is valid under UK law, however, generally speaking, if a ceremony is considered valid in the country where the ceremony was performed, both parties to the marriage had the capacity to marry under the law of the country of domicile and consented to marry the other, it is likely to be recognised in the UK.