4 Things You Should Know Before Getting Married Abroad
Getting married abroad is a popular choice for Brits. We're not saying that you can't have a perfect wedding in your own country, but with the increase of people getting married abroad, we thought it was important to note the top 4 things you need to know before getting married outside of the UK.
Legal Requirements
The laws for getting married differ from country to country. It's essential to study each country's marriage rules and requirements before you decide to tie the knot. If you're not sure what you're doing, consult relevant embassies for guidance. Some countries require people to be an inhabitant of the country they want to get married in, before they can obtain a marriage license or have their wedding ceremony performed there.
To be able to marry in France, for example, you must complete a civil marriage before a religious ceremony. Indeed, to even get that far in the process one of you would have to have resided in France for at least 40 days prior to the wedding to comply with the residency requirement.
Paperwork
It is common for a couple to have to submit documentation and information when planning a wedding in a different country. This tends to mean birth certificates, divorce documentation (where relevant) and a Certificate of No Impediment (a document which states that you are free to marry available from your local Register Office). You may be expected to apostille these documents.
After the wedding, if possible, obtain several certified copies of the extract marriage certificate locally. Getting an extract marriage certificate from the country you were married in, when you're back in the UK, is often a time-consuming process.