How do you get married abroad with a Catholic church ceremony?

A Catholic wedding abroad is possible, but it involves more planning than a civil ceremony. The Catholic Church has its own rules, and these can vary between countries and dioceses. Start by speaking to your local priest in the UK. They will guide you through the process and issue the necessary documents.

You will usually need a certificate of baptism and confirmation, and possibly a certificate of freedom to marry. Your home parish will prepare a file, often called a prenuptial inquiry, which is sent to the parish abroad. The priest abroad will need to accept the file and agree to marry you. You may also need to attend a marriage preparation course, which can sometimes be done online or in your home parish.

If one of you is not Catholic, the church may require a dispensation. This is usually straightforward but must be arranged in advance. You will also need two witnesses, who can be any adults, and they do not have to be Catholic.

You should also check the civil requirements of the country where the wedding takes place. A Catholic ceremony may or may not be legally binding there. If it is not, you may need a separate civil ceremony in the UK or abroad. The best approach is to contact the parish abroad directly, as well as your own priest, and to check the GOV.UK page for that country. Give yourself at least six months for the paperwork.