Do I need to give notice of marriage if getting married abroad?

Short answer

No, you do not give notice in the UK for a marriage abroad. You must follow the notice and paperwork rules of the country where you marry. For a UK civil ceremony instead, you would give notice at your local register office.

If you marry abroad, UK notice of marriage rules do not apply. Instead, you must meet the legal requirements of the country where the wedding takes place. Many countries require you to submit documents, such as birth certificates, passports and evidence of your marital status, and some ask you to be resident for a set number of days before the ceremony. You should contact the embassy or consulate of that country, or check GOV.UK, for the exact rules.

In England and Wales, notice of marriage is only needed for a ceremony that takes place in England or Wales. The same applies in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where notice is given to the local registrar for the district where the wedding will happen. So if you choose to marry abroad, you do not need to give notice at a UK register office.

However, if you have a religious ceremony abroad that is not legally recognised in the UK, you may later have a civil ceremony in the UK. In that case, you would need to give notice in the usual way. Also, if either of you is subject to immigration control, the rules can be different, so check GOV.UK before making plans. Always confirm the requirements with the local authorities in the country where you intend to marry.