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.
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.
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.
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.
