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If you are a UK national planning to marry abroad, you will typically need to provide a package of UK documents to the foreign authority overseeing your marriage. Most of these documents will need to be certified translated into the official language of the country where you are marrying.
Requirements vary by country, but this guide covers the documents most commonly required and the translation and apostille considerations for each.
Most countries require a full UK birth certificate (the long-form version from the General Register Office — not the short form). This must usually be certified translated into the local language and apostilled.
If you do not have your long-form birth certificate, you can order a replacement from the General Register Office (GRO) in England & Wales, National Records of Scotland, or the General Register Office for Northern Ireland.
A Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) is an official document confirming that there is no legal reason why you cannot marry. Many countries require a CNI from UK nationals before they can marry there. In the UK, a CNI (also called a Certificate of Freedom to Marry or Single Status Affidavit) is issued by the local register office after a period of notice.
The CNI typically needs to be apostilled and certified translated into the local language of the country where you are marrying.
If you have been married before and are divorced, you will need to provide your Decree Absolute (in England and Wales) or Divorce Order (from courts in Scotland or Northern Ireland). This must usually be translated and may need apostilling.
If your previous spouse is deceased, a death certificate may be required. This should be the full certificate and will need certified translation.
A copy of your valid UK passport is almost always required. Some countries require certified translation of the biographical data page.
Most countries that are Hague Convention members require UK official documents to carry an apostille before they will be accepted. The apostille authenticates the signature or seal of the issuing UK authority. We obtain the official apostille on your behalf for your translated documents.
Check requirements early: Marriage document requirements vary significantly by country and can change. Contact the local civil registry or consulate of the country where you plan to marry as early as possible — ideally 6 months in advance — to confirm the exact list of documents and translation requirements.
Spain requires a CNI (certificado de capacidad matrimonial) and birth certificate, both apostilled and translated into Spanish. Spain officially requires sworn translators registered with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
France requires a CNI, birth certificate (full extract, apostilled), and proof of identity. Documents must be translated into French.
Italy requires a birth certificate and nulla osta (no impediment), both apostilled and translated into Italian.
For countries that are not Hague Convention members, documents may need to be legalised through a different process. Check requirements with the relevant country's consulate in the UK.