Daydreaming about a wedding in a scenic location is something many couples do. To turn the dream into reality, it’s necessary to pay close attention to some of the more mundane aspects of the ceremony, including meeting the legal requirements to make your travel possible and the marriage valid in the UK.
It goes without saying that forgetting any of the essential documents can throw a wrench into your plans and potentially force you to scuttle the big day altogether. To avoid that doomsday scenario, you should thoroughly research the regulations in the destination country and make a checklist in advance.
True, some requirements may differ depending on jurisdiction, but here is what your list must include.
Passports and Visas
Before you can get married in your dream location, you need to make sure you will safely get there. In most cases, you will have to show your passport at the airport or the border crossing in order to be admitted. UK citizens can travel visa free to all parts of the European Union and the United States, but may need to register online before the trip. Other countries may require you to get a tourist visa for the period you intend to stay, and in some cases this may necessitate a trip to the embassy. Make sure your travel documents are in perfect order before you move on with your plans.
Birth Certificates
Proving your identity is a key step for obtaining a marriage certificate that you can’t skip no matter where you decide to do it. That’s why you will have to bring birth certificates for both parties along. This shouldn’t be too much of a problem since these days you can easily get them online without having to go through a lengthy administrative process. Just make sure they are recent enough, as some countries may insist on certificates that were issued in the past 6 or 12 months.
Affidavits of Eligibility for Marriage
Affidavit of Eligibility is another mandatory document that you must present to the foreign marriage registrar. It basically states there are no obstacles to establishing the civil union such as an existence of a previous marriage. You can obtain this document from the local register office, but be aware there could be a waiting period and try to apply early. If you are lucky, your chosen destination may not require a formal affidavit and will accept a signed declaration instead. However, having the document with you just to be safe might be wise for an event as important as your wedding.
UK Apostille Stamps for Legal Documents
Any documents issued in the United Kingdom need to have an official stamp of approval before they become valid overseas. This stamp is called an apostille, and represents a guarantee that all the information stated in the documents is true. You should be prepared to get apostilles for all the marriage-related documents you plan to carry with you, so this is another reason to plan ahead and do everything possible to avoid holdups. This process can usually be finalised in just a day or two, but you don’t want to remember it while approaching the airport gate.
Certified Translations of Documents
If the wedding is to take place in a non-English speaking country, you might be expected to submit translated documents. While it’s possible to do that on location, it makes more sense to prepare translations at home, along with other paperwork. That way you can finish the boring parts first, and then focus on the more romantic elements of the whole trip. From a purely practical standpoint, using UK-based translators may be more convenient than seeking a trustworthy one abroad, and it could also help prevent any misunderstandings and ambiguities.
