Are you legally married if you get married abroad?

Most countries that have their own legal system will recognise a marriage that was valid where it happened. This is usually the case for destination weddings, civil ceremonies and religious weddings that follow local law.

There are important exceptions and extra steps. Some countries do not allow certain couples to marry, such as same-sex couples or people under a local minimum age. Some religious ceremonies, like a nikah, may not be legal unless held in a registered building with an authorised person. Humanist ceremonies are not legally binding in England and Wales, so couples there often add a short civil ceremony.

If you want the marriage recognised in the UK, keep your original marriage certificate and any official translations. You may need to register the marriage at a UK register office or get an apostille or legalisation of the documents. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the country where you married and contact the register office if you are unsure.