Marriage outside the UK and Republic of Ireland

For people living in or who were born in Northern Ireland, there are things to consider before you can get married overseas.

Living in Northern Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland and intend to get married outside the UK or Republic of Ireland, you should check with the registration service of the country in which you want to get married regarding marriage requirements and any documentation required.

If you need to provide a document showing that you are free to marry, you should complete a 'Marriage notice application form - GRO 446' in order to apply for a 'Certificate of legal capacity to marry' (Certificate of non-impediment).

If you are having a religious marriage abroad you do not need to complete Section E of the form.

When the marriage notice form has been submitted, the certificate of 'Legal capacity to marry' will be issued after at least 14 days have passed.

Born in Northern Ireland but not currently living here

If you were born in Northern Ireland but are not currently living here and need to produce a document showing you are free to marry, you should complete a 'Marriage index search application form - GRO 447' and return it to the General Register Office.

General Register Office,
Oxford House,
49-55 Chichester Street,
Belfast
BT1 4HL

The fee for this search is £6 for each five-year period (or part of it), starting with the year in which the applicant became 16 years of age (the minimum legal age to marry under UK legislation).

Lodgement of foreign marriages

Although foreign marriages cannot be registered in Northern Ireland, you may wish to lodge your foreign marriage certificate with the General Register Office. By doing this, you will be able to obtain a copy of your marriage certificate when needed from the General Register Office. It is not possible to lodge a marriage certificate for a marriage registered in a Commonwealth country.

Lodging a foreign marriage certificate

There are two ways to lodge a certificate. If you are still abroad, take your marriage certificate to the British Embassy or Consular Office. Once verified, the certificate will be forwarded to the General Register Office for lodgement.

Or, on your return to Northern Ireland you may apply for lodgement through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Depositing marriage and civil partnership documents

If you have more questions regarding marriages outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, please contact any Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Northern Ireland, or contact the marriage section in the General Register Office.