Legal Weddings FAQ
20. Is a marriage conducted abroad legally valid in the UK?
A wedding conducted abroad will be legally recognised and valid in the UK if it has been conducted in accordance with the laws and procedures of that country. You can get more specific and up to date information on the government’s website: www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships-abroad.
If you had a Nikah ceremony abroad in a country where it was a legally valid marriage and it was registered with the relevant authorities, your marriage will be recognised in the UK and you will not have to have an additional legal wedding ceremony in the UK.
21. Can I legally marry someone who lives abroad in England and Wales?
Yes, but they must have a visa to come to the UK to give notice and get married. There are criteria they must meet and they must not be planning to stay or settle in the UK after the marriage takes place.
Eligibility requirements can be checked on the government website: www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships www.gov.uk/marriage-visa?step-by-step-nav=8424e3fa-df5e-43e6-9158-59a8a18e1c8e.
22. Can I bring a person I want to marry, or have married, to the UK?
It is possible to marry someone abroad or get engaged and then apply for them to come to live with you in the UK. You will need to apply for the right kind of visa and meet the eligibility requirements. These can be found on the government website: www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa.
Please note that the criteria and rules could change, so you should check what rules apply when relevant to your situation.