The breathtaking views in the UK are so abundant that taking them all in takes several trips. At every turn, your eyes gaze at rolling hills, crashing waves, still lakes, deep valleys, and wild hiking trails. And when you are not outdoors exploring, you enjoy historical tours that lend you insights about this beautiful tourist destination. Planning a wedding here would thus afford you the chance to incorporate some unique British traditions in your ceremony as you take pictures against architectural beauties. Here is how to get married in the UK as a U.S. citizen:
How to Get Married in the UK as a U.S. Citizen?
The UK is home to some of the most fascinating gardens in the world. Holding a wedding here would not only be an ode to history but would also ensure you had that fairytale wedding many envision. So, what do you need to get married in the UK? The steps below should cover you:
1) Check your eligibility for marriage or a civil partnership: The UK allows you to enter a civil partnership or marriage if you are at least 18 years old, are not already in a civil union or marriage, and are not marrying a close relative. It also allows same-sex couples to enter a marriage by converting their civil partnership into one. However, the laws in England and Wales differ from those in Scotland and Northern Ireland. You should thus check if you meet all the requirements.
2) Choose a ceremony option: In the UK, all couples must give a notice before marrying. As you sign the notice, you will include your ceremony details and can either have a religious or civil ceremony. Note that civil partnerships do not leave room for religious ceremonies. Your decision now will affect your document requirements, marital rights, and responsibilities as your union will fall under UK laws.
3) Hire a wedding planner: The marriage laws in the UK are not the same as those in the U.S. Having someone to help you navigate the ins and outs of the wedding process can make your planning much easier. Choose an experienced planner who can highlight things you might miss as you prepare for the wedding.
4) Book a wedding venue: While there are many beautiful wedding venues in the UK, bookings start early, and if you wait too long, you might have to forgo the options you want. Start contacting and viewing venues as early as possible to get one that fits your needs. Your wedding planner can help with this.
5) Determine the need for a visa: You cannot get married or enter a civil partnership on a visitor visa. As such, before giving notice of your marriage, you must get a visa that allows you to travel to the UK to marry or enter a civil partnership. While U.S. citizens usually don’t need visas to enter the UK, marriage has different laws unless you meet any of the following conditions:
- You are a citizen of Britain or Ireland,
- You have a permit to remain in the UK that is valid for more than 6 months,
- You have an EU Settlement Scheme Status – whether settled or pre-settled, or
- You joined the EU Settlement Scheme before 30th June 2021.
6) Get a visa: If you are not exempt from applying for a visa, you will need to apply for one before leaving the U.S. Your visa choice will depend on how long you will stay in the UK and your partner’s citizenship as follows:
- A marriage visitor visa: If you want to get married in the UK and will leave within 6 months, this should work,
- A family permit: If you want to join an EU, EEA, or Switzerland family member in the UK, you can use this option, and
- A family visa: If your partner has settled in the UK, has refugee status in the UK, or is a British citizen, this visa option will favor you.
Please note that not having a visa can put your wedding on hold. In most cases, the Home Office may decide not to approve your marriage or civil partnership notice. Travel Visa Pro handles visa applications to the UK and can advise you on the best option for your wedding.
7) Prepare your documents: You and your partner will appear before the local registrar to prove your eligibility for marriage. The documents depend on your citizenship, residency, whether you have been married, and your age. Typical documents include passports, birth certificates, and visas.
8) Get apostilles: The UK is an apostille convention country and thus requires apostilles on official documents to prove the validity of their signatures, stamps, and seals. Get one for any U.S.-issued documents you will use to prove your marriage eligibility, e.g., your birth certificate.
9) Translate your documents: If any of your documents are not in English, you must translate them into English using certified translation services.
10) Give a notice: Anyone getting married in the UK must sign a legal statement at the local registrar’s office, stating their intention to get married or enter a civil partnership. You must do this at least 29 days before the wedding ceremony and must wed within 12 months of filing the statement. In the case of a U.S. citizen, you and your partner must give notice together at the local registrar’s office and must have lived in that district for at least 7 days. However, you can give your notice separately if you both meet the conditions below:
- You have Irish or British citizenship,
- You have EU Settlement Scheme Status – settled or pre-settled, or
- You applied for the EU Settlement Scheme before 30th June 2021.
Some churches have different ways of giving notice; you should check with your officiant to ensure you meet these guidelines.
11) Get married: The process of getting married in the UK differs based on your chosen option. Thus, you must confer with your officiant regarding what you should do. After the ceremony, you and your partner should sign the marriage schedule.
12) Obtain a marriage certificate: Your officiant should send the signed marriage schedule to the local registrar’s office, where the registrar will add it to the marriage register. You will then get a marriage certificate.
If you get married in the UK, is it legal in the U.S.? The U.S. recognizes marriages that are legal in the countries where they were performed. As such, if you follow all the steps above and register your wedding, your marriage certificate will be valid in the U.S.
What are the Different Types of Marriage in the UK?
Getting married in the UK leaves you spoilt for choice as you have many options. What kind of marriage in the UK fits you best? Let’s answer this by outlining the processes and legalities of each option:
1. Civil Ceremonies
Many weddings in England and Wales take on this approach. In this case, you get married at the register office or any other approved venue. A licensed registrar officiates the wedding, during which the couple exchanges vows in the presence of at least two witnesses. Readings are allowed, but you cannot include religious content. After the wedding, you and your witnesses sign the marriage schedule, which the officiant directs to the local register office. Since this wedding option has few processes, it often takes about half an hour to complete.
2. Religious Ceremonies
These weddings follow the approach of the religion to which the couple belongs. For example, Roman Catholics have the wedding in a Cathedral, while Jewish couples get married under a Chupah. Readings and other religious rites are permissible. The officiant must have a license to conduct the wedding. Alternatively, a civil registrar can step in for the signing of the marriage schedule.
3. Civil Partnerships
While the law recognizes these partnerships, they differ from marriages regarding their formalities. The couple signs the partnership document but does not need to exchange vows. However, since the formalities are flexible, the couple can finish the ceremony with a religious blessing, unlike in civil ceremonies. Like a civil marriage in the UK, they take place in the registry office or any other pre-approved venue.
Is a marriage in the UK recognized in the United States? If you follow the UK marriage laws and get a marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate, this document will be valid even in the U.S.
Marriage Requirements in the UK for U.S. Citizens
While having a marriage visa allows you to travel to the UK to marry, it does not guarantee you will get married. Instead, you must meet all the marriage requirements in the UK as outlined below:
- Age: You and your partner must be at least 18 years old to get married. However, the laws allow people aged 16 and above to tie the knot if they have parental consent.
- Witnesses: Civil ceremonies require at least two witnesses who must be at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter a contract.
- Residence: If you do not have a permit to live in the UK, have no EU Settlement Scheme Status, and are not on refugee status, you will need to get a visa. You must also have lived in the district where you will give notice at least 7 days before appearing before the registrar.
- Marital Status: Only single people can marry. Thus, you cannot be in a civil partnership or married. People who have previously married or entered civil partnerships should present proof that the marriage is no longer valid, e.g., through a divorce decree.
- Relationships: The UK marriage laws do not allow marriages or civil partnerships between close relatives, e.g., father and daughter.
Since the marriage requirements vary by region, you should check with the local registrar regarding your conditions to wed.
What Documents Do I Need to Get Married in the UK?
The documents for getting married in the UK for foreigners are different from what residents provide. Below is a typical document checklist you need to give notice for a marriage in the UK:
- A valid passport: Your passport should be in good condition, have a UK entry stamp, and be valid beyond your departure date,
- A birth certificate,
- Proof of address: You can use your recent utility bills if you live in the UK. If not, you can use your driver’s license or any other valid document,
- A UK contact address: If you do not live in the UK, you will need to include UK contact details, e.g., your partner’s contacts,
- A divorce decree: This document applies to people whose previous marriages ended in divorce,
- A death certificate: If your previous spouse is deceased, you should present their death certificate,
- A visa: You must have a valid visa – a standard visitor visa is not applicable for marriage or civil partnerships,
- A passport photo: If at least one of you is from outside the UK, both of you will need to include a passport photo,
- An apostille: Your official documents should have an apostille to verify the integrity of their stamps, seals, and signatures,
- Details of the venue and date of the wedding ceremony.
The above documents cover civil ceremonies. People getting married in religious ceremonies will likely need more documentation, which you can confirm with your officiant.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Married in the UK?
With some countries allowing people as young as 16 to marry, how old do you have to be to get married in the UK? Anyone aged 18 and above can get married as they have attained the legal marriage age. The law also allows people aged 16 and 17 to marry if they have parental consent.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Married in the UK?
A U.S. citizen getting married in the UK will incur several costs to arrange a wedding as many administration fees will arise. So, how much does it cost to get married in the UK? On average, a 100-guest wedding costs an average of $20,000 to $30,000. You can spend more or less of this by altering your specifics, e.g., wedding venue, catering, and the number of guests. Working with a professional wedding planner is an easy way to get an accurate budget.
How to Find a Wedding Planner in the UK
Processing a marriage visa, giving a notice, finding an officiant, seeking a wedding venue, and doing everything you need to arrange the ideal wedding is a lot of work. Having a professional wedding planner take the lead is not just great for your budget, but it also allows you to focus on things you enjoy doing. Here is how you can find one:
- Read reviews about the best UK wedding planners, as they will know how to source vendors and navigate the legal paperwork.
- Choose planners who have dealt with foreigners’ weddings in the past to ensure they understand your unique legal standing.
- Assess wedding planners based on their styles, experience, pricing, and communication channels.
Finally, consider how the planners make you feel and choose the one who feels like a good fit.
