Can I use a UK marriage certificate abroad?

Using a UK Marriage Certificate Abroad

An official UK marriage certificate is legally recognized in the UK and by UK official bodies abroad. In most cases, you can present the marriage certificate 'as-is' to a British Embassy, Consulate, or High Commission worldwide. This means that if you need the certificate for purposes such as applying for a British passport, no further validation is required.

What If You Need to Present Your Marriage Certificate to a Non-British Authority?

If you're presenting your marriage certificate to a non-British government office, institution, or company, it must be legalised before it will be accepted.

The process for legalising the marriage certificate will depend on the country in which the document is to be used. Some countries only require an Apostille to validate the certificate, ensuring it was genuinely issued. Others may require additional authentication through their own embassy network.

How We Can Help

We offer assistance with all forms of legalisation. When you order a replacement marriage certificate, you’ll have the option to add an Apostille during the order process. For countries that require further embassy authentication (sometimes referred to as Attestation or Legalisation), simply get in touch, and we will help guide you through the process.