How to get married in the UK

How to get married in Great Britain - help from a lawyer

In this article we will look at all aspects for those planning to marry in the UK, but neither partner is a permanent resident or citizen of the country. This applies, in particular, to persons who are in the UK on a visa or other long-term category. A marriage between foreigners can be registered at any Register Office, church or embassy of Great Britain.

Wedding ceremony in the church

A couple can get married in a church, particularly in the Church of England in England or Wales. In Scotland, this can be done through the Scottish Episcopal Church, which is part of the Anglican Communion. Such marriages will be recognized as valid. However, other religious marriages are not recognized by the Home Office of Great Britain and will not have legal force.

Marriage registration at the embassy of your country

Marriages registered in the embassies of the respective countries are recognized as valid. The couple can contact their country's embassy to see if they can assist in registering the marriage.

This may be important because in some cases, depending on immigration status, marrying at an embassy may allow you to apply to the Home Office for a temporary UK residence permit.

Opportunity to register a marriage for people who do not have legal status in the UK

According to the basic principles of UK immigration law, it does not matter what the immigration status of the person who wants to get married is, as well as who they plan to marry (either a UK resident or an EU citizen , or with a British citizen).

Marriage can be registered on the territory of Great Britain. However, if a person without legal status in the country or without a long-term visa that grants the right to stay for more than 6 months plans to apply for a marriage visa, they will need to leave the country and apply for a family visa from abroad.

List of required documents

• new birth certificate (translation + apostille),
• foreign passport with "marriage visa" or "bride visa" + copy,
• divorce certificate (translation + apostille) and/or court decision on divorce (translation + apostille),
• notarized declaration of intention to marry (translation + apostille),
• parents birth certificate with translation,
• copy of Ukrainian passport (translation).

Legal analysis of the situation

In order to get married, you need to provide documents such as a birth certificate, passport and, if necessary, a divorce certificate. 

The marriage can be concluded in a registry office, church or embassy, ​​and the procedure includes submitting an application, setting a date and conducting a ceremony with the participation of witnesses. 

If one of the partners does not have legal status in the country, this may affect their immigration options, so it is important to get legal advice.

The importance of legal support for marriage in Great Britain

Legal support when getting married in the UK is extremely important as the process can be complicated, especially for foreigners or people without permanent status.

Firstly, professionals can help you correctly prepare all the necessary documents, such as birth certificates, passports and divorce certificates, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

Secondly, legal support allows you to avoid possible mistakes when applying for marriage, which can lead to delays or refusals. In addition, attorneys can provide advice on the legal implications of getting married, including the impact on immigration status, which is especially important for those who do not have legal status in the country.

They can also represent the interests of clients in the event of the need to challenge decisions or in the event of conflicts. Thus, the involvement of legal professionals in the process of marriage in Britain provides not only legal security, but also confidence in the correctness of all stages, which ultimately contributes to the successful conclusion of the marriage.

How to choose a family law solicitor in the UK

When choosing a lawyer to register a marriage in Great Britain, pay attention to the following aspects:

1. experience and qualifications - make sure the lawyer specializes in family law and has experience in matrimonial matters;
2. rating - read customer reviews and examples of successful cases;
3. individual approach - choose a lawyer who is ready to pay you enough attention and take into account all the peculiarities of your situation.

How to order the services of a lawyer in Great Britain

If you need help with the process of getting married in Great Britain or have questions about legal status, we recommend contacting professional lawyers at consultant.net.ua. Our specialists have many years of experience in family law and are ready to help you with all aspects of marriage registration. Choosing our services, you can be sure of receiving high-class legal support. For information on consultations and the cost of services, call +447418377298.