If one or both of the partners is a non EU/EEA/Swiss national, they may marry in the UK, as long as they intend to leave the country within six months.

If one of the partners is subject to immigration control, they may need additional documents in order to give notice to marry. In most cases, foreigners marrying in the UK will need one of the following documents:

• Visa providing entry clearance, specifically for marrying purposes
• Certificate of Approval (COA), which can be obtained from the Home Office Tel: 0870 241 0645.  For information, visit the UK Border Agency website.
• A document proving settled status in the UK, for example, Indefinite Leave to Remain.

If you are getting married in the Church of England or Church in Wales, then you do not usually have to give notice of marriage. The vicar of the church should be contacted to organise the marriage.

If you are having a civil marriage or civil partnership, you both need to go to your local register office to give notice. If you plan holding your marriage or civil partnership in a different area, you should also contact the local register office for that area before you give notice, to ensure that officials will be available on the day.

You both must give notice in person - no one else can do it on your behalf.

Visit the Directgov website here to find a local register office, and here to find an approved venue for civil ceremonies.

Before you give notice, you should make sure that you are able to satisfy the laws concerning residency and immigration control. If one party is subject to immigration control, notice must be given at a designated register office. To find a designated office, contact the General Register Office.

Documents required to give notice

The following information and documentation is required from both partners when giving notice at a register office:

• Full name and address
• Age
• Nationality
• Current civil status (single, divorced, widowed); proof of divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership, if applicable
• Occupation
• Information on the intended venue for the marriage
• Those subject to immigration control may need to provide additional documents (Certificate of Approval or visa)
• Proof of identity, such as a passport

For further information on the legal obligations when getting married, visit the Directgov website here.

Civil and religious ceremonies
UK law recognises both civil and religious ceremonies. In England and Wales, a marriage can take place in either an Anglican church or other religious building registered for marriage. Civil ceremonies can take place at a register office or approved venue and may not contain any religious content.

On the day of the marriage, you will need to bring at least two other people who can sign as witnesses at your wedding. Visit the Directgov website here for further information on civil and religious marriages.

How to register a civil partnership
In order to form a civil partnership, you must first give notice of your plans. This involves letting a registration office know about your intention to register a civil partnership. You can get a list of approved places from your local council.

Once you've done that, notices are publicised by the registration authority for a period of 15 days, similar to marriage notices.

Same-sex couples can have their relationships legally recognised as 'civil partnerships'. 

The General Register Office has detailed information on how to go about forming a civil partnership.

Name Changes
A woman can either keep her maiden name when getting married or take her husband's surname. If she wishes to use both names (hyphenated), she will need to change her name by Deed Poll. Click here for further information on changing a name by Deed Poll.

If the bride chooses to take her husband's surname, she must send a marriage certificate to the relevant organisations and government departments to advise them of her name change so that records can be updated.Click here for information on who to contact following a name change.

Source: DirectGov
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