YOUR CEREMONY
Your Questions Answered by the Kent Registration Service
Photo credit: Nicola Dawson Photography
I don’ t live in Kent or Bexley. Can I get married or have my civil partnership here? As long as you have lived for seven days in England or Wales and are not subject to immigration control, you will be eligible to give your notice of marriage or civil partnership.
After this, you can marry or enter into a civil partnership at one of the many approved premises, or you may wish to choose one of our register offices.
However, if you are marrying in Kent or Bexley but do not live in the area, you will need to give your legal preliminaries( Notice of Marriage or Civil Partnership- see page 14) in the area where you live.
What if I want to get married abroad? If you are thinking of marrying abroad, you must check with the authorities of the country you are marrying in regarding the legal preliminaries required. These will vary from country to country and depend on your own nationality. Some countries require you to give notice of marriage in this country; this is known as a certificate of no impediment. This may be obtained by giving legal preliminaries( see next page) to your local register office.
A marriage solemnised in accordance with the local law of a foreign country cannot be registered in this country. If possible, you should register your marriage with the British Embassy or consulate in the country in which you get married, at the time you get married. You can then obtain a copy of your marriage certificate in this country. It is always advisable to obtain more than one marriage certificate if you marry abroad.
While legally recognised, marriages abroad cannot be registered for British subjects in the UK. However, it may be possible for the record of an overseas marriage to be logged at the General Register Office. See direct. gov. uk for more information.
If you are in any doubt, contact your local register office. It is also possible to have a renewal of marriage vows ceremony in Kent or Bexley in addition to your marriage abroad, so your family and friends don’ t miss out. Find out more about this on page 24.
For further information contact us or visit akentishceremony. com.
I don’ t live in England or Wales. Can I get married or enter into a civil partnership here? Possibly, but in order to be eligible you will need to complete a full seven-day residency within England or Wales.
You will need to provide proof of this residency( e. g. hotel invoice, flight tickets, etc.). On the eighth day of your residency, you may give your legal preliminaries( see next page) to the local register office where you have been living. If either or both parties are subject to immigration control, you will need to follow the guidelines for foreign nationals. Contact our ceremonies team for advice.
Can I get married in a Church of England or Church of Wales? If you wish to be married in a Church of England or Church of Wales, you should first speak to the vicar. If the vicar is able and willing to marry you, arrangements will be made for the banns to be called on three Sundays before the day of your ceremony. In certain circumstances
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