Marriages and civil partnerships in England & Wales
You can get married or form a civil partnership in England or Wales if you’re:
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16 or over
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not already married or in a civil partnership
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not closely related
Different regulations apply when it comes to getting married or forming a civil partnership in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and abroad. If you are under 18 years old and wish to get married or form a civil partnership in England or Wales, you must obtain permission from your parents or guardians.​
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If either you or your partner are not British or Irish citizens, or do not have indefinite leave to remain in the UK, a visa or permit may be required in order to get married or form a civil partnership in the UK.
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The type of visa or permit needed depends on your partner's nationality and your plans to reside in the UK post-ceremony. A marriage visitor visa is required if you will not be living in the UK and will be staying for less than 6 months. A family visa is needed if you plan to live permanently in the UK with a British citizen, settled in the UK, with refugee status, or with humanitarian protection. A family permit is required if you want to join a family member from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland in the UK.
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If you do not have a marriage visitor visa or family visa, you can still give notice of your intention to get married or form a civil partnership. However, the Home Office may ask questions about your relationship, and you may need to wait up to 70 days before getting married or forming a civil partnership. In some cases, the Home Office may decide not to approve your notice, meaning that you cannot get married or form a civil partnership in the UK.
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