Getting married abroad

If you want to get married or form a civil partnership outside of England or Wales, different rules apply depending on the country you choose. Different regulations also apply in Scotland.

You should consult with the authorities in the country where you’re planning to have your ceremony, to ensure you have all the paperwork you need. You may also need to complete legal paperwork once you get to that country. For marriages taking place in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or commonwealth countries, there's no facility in England or Wales to give notice of this.

Marriages and civil partnerships that take place abroad will be recognised in the UK if you followed the correct process according to the local laws. You won’t have to register it in the UK afterwards.

Check GOV.UK for more information about getting married or registering a civil partnership abroad, including if you need a certificate of no impediment.

Certificate of no impediment

If you're getting married abroad, you may need to provide a certificate of no impediment to confirm there are no objections to your proposed ceremony. If you live in the Barnsley borough, Barnsley Register Office can provide this document. Please note: they can't be issued for all countries due to various legislation.

Letter of no trace

A letter of no trace is a document issued by the General Register Office (GRO), confirming there's no record of any marriage relating to an individual within a stated period of time.

If you need a letter of no trace, you should contact the GRO on 0300 123 1837.