If you're planning to marry a British citizen or someone settled in the UK, you need to pay attention to the legal stuff like visas, notices, and documents just as much as the wedding details. This guide explains who can get married, which visas you need, how to give notice, the costs involved, and how long each step usually takes. We've updated it for 2026 and included links to the official GOV.UK pages you'll want to check out.

Quick reference: the essentials at a glance

- Main visa choices: Marriage Visitor visa (short stay, up to 6 months) or Partner/Family visa (to live in the UK after marriage). See https://www.gov.uk/marriage-visit-visa and https://www.gov.uk/partner-family-visa.

- Key fees (2026): Marriage Visitor visa fee: £100; Partner/Family visa fee: £1,538 when applying from outside the UK, £1,048 when applying inside the UK. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for partner route: £624 per year (paid up front). Register office notice and ceremony fees vary by local authority (typical notice fees £35–£75; ceremony fees from about £46 to several hundred pounds).

- Minimum notice to register: normally 28 days; notices are valid for 12 months. Minimum age: 18 in England & Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland have different arrangements).

Prerequisites: who can marry in the UK

First off: you can marry in the UK whether you’re a British citizen, an EEA national, or a non-UK national — provided you meet the legal requirements. That means both partners must be at least 18, free to marry (not already married or in a civil partnership), and able to understand the nature of marriage.

But there are extra rules if one partner has limited immigration status. If a non-UK partner needs permission to enter the UK and plans only to marry and return home, they should apply for a Marriage Visitor visa (short stay). If they plan to remain in the UK after marriage, they must use the partner (family) visa route — often called the spouse visa.

Eligibility checklist

Before applying, make sure you’ve got:

  • Valid passports for both partners.
  • Proof of immigration status (visa, entry stamp, BRP) if the non-UK partner is already in the UK.
  • Evidence you’re free to marry — e.g. Final divorce decree absolute or death certificate of a former spouse where applicable.
  • Proof of address for each partner (utility bills, council tax letters) for notice purposes.
  • Any required translations into English of non-English documents, done by a certified translator.

Here’s a step-by-step on getting married in the UK if you’re a foreign national.

  1. Decide which visa you need. If the foreign national only wants to enter the UK to marry and then leave, apply for a Marriage Visitor visa (six-month, non‑settlement). If the intention is to live together in the UK afterwards, apply for the partner/family visa (also called spouse visa) — this leads to settlement after the qualifying period. See https://www.gov.uk/marriage-visit-visa and https://www.gov.uk/partner-family-visa.

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  2. Apply for the correct visa, if required, before you travel. Marriage Visitor visa fee is typically £100. Partner/family visa fees (2026): £1,538 if applying from overseas; £1,048 to apply from within the UK. You’ll usually pay the IHS as part of a partner application — around £624 per year. Applications are done online via GOV.UK; biometrics are taken at a visa centre or UKVCAS centre.

  3. Book and give notice at a register office. Both partners must give notice in person at their local register office at least 28 days before the ceremony (notice is usually valid for 12 months). If one partner isn't resident in the UK, you must give notice at the register office where the UK-resident partner lives, and the foreign national will attend the overseas partner’s appointment if required. Check the GOV.UK page for the procedure: https://www.gov.uk/give-notice-marriage-civil-partnership.

  4. Gather documents for the notice appointment. Take passports, proof of address (last 12 months), any previous marriage or civil partnership ending documents, and immigration documentation. Local registrars will check these in person. Any documents not in English must be translated and certified.

  5. Thing is, fix the venue and ceremony type. You can choose a civil ceremony at a register office or approved venue, or a religious ceremony in a place of worship registered for marriages. Book the registrar or celebrant and pay the venue fee. Private venues and hotels usually charge extra.

  6. Attend the ceremony and register the marriage. After the ceremony the registrar signs the marriage register and issues a marriage certificate. You’ll need the marriage certificate for future immigration applications, name changes, and pensions.

  7. Switch visa category if you plan to stay. If the foreign national entered on a Marriage Visitor visa but intends to stay, they can't switch to a partner visa from within the UK — they must return home and apply from abroad. If they entered on a different visa that allows switching, apply in good time. Always follow the rules for the route you used to enter.

Costs: what you’ll typically pay

Costs can vary depending on your choices and local fees. Typically, you’ll pay:

  • Visa application fees: Marriage Visitor: about £100; Partner/Family visa: £1,538 (outside UK) or £1,048 (inside UK).
  • Immigration Health Surcharge for partner route: around £624 per year (paid upfront for the length of the visa).
  • Notice fee and ceremony in a register office: local authority fees usually £35–£75 to give notice; basic civil ceremony from £46, rising to several hundred pounds for weekend slots or larger venues.
  • Venue, celebrant, photographer, legal translations and document copies: variable — plan for at least a few hundred pounds beyond statutory fees.

All visa fees are paid online as part of the application. If you want faster processing, paid priority services are available for certain applications at extra cost; check GOV.UK for current prices and options.

Timeline: how long each step takes

Timings depend on the route chosen and where applications are made:

  • Giving notice: at least 28 days between notice and ceremony (the notice itself is valid for 12 months).
  • Marriage Visitor visa: decisions often within 3 weeks (check your local visa centre for exact processing times).
  • Partner/Family visa — applying from overseas: processing times commonly around 12 weeks; many decisions are made in around 3 weeks at some visa centres but allow up to 12 weeks. Applying from inside the UK to switch can take several months — check GOV.UK for current timelines.
  • Register office document checks and booking: allow several weeks for appointment slots and document verification, especially in busy areas or peak wedding season.

Practical tips for a smoother process

  • Check the correct GOV.UK page and follow the exact document checklist for your local register office — requirements differ slightly across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
  • Translate documents early — sworn translations can take time. Keep originals and certified copies.
  • Don’t assume a Marriage Visitor visa allows you to stay after the wedding — it doesn’t. If you plan to live together in the UK, apply for the partner/family visa from the outset.
  • If any partner is on limited leave or an asylum claimant, get specific legal advice — the rules are stricter and there are additional checks.
  • Book the registrar and venue well in advance — some popular registrars are fully booked months ahead.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Arriving to marry on the wrong visa. That’s the commonest and most serious mistake — it can lead to refusal and removal. Apply for the Marriage Visitor visa if you’ll leave after the wedding, or the Partner visa if you’ll stay.
  • Missing the notice appointment or not taking the right documents. You must attend in person and bring original documents — photocopies won’t do.
  • Assuming you can switch from a short-term visitor visa to a spouse visa while in the UK. In most cases you can’t — you’ll need to apply from overseas.
  • Using out-of-date information. Immigration rules and fees change — always check the GOV.UK pages listed below shortly before you apply.

For official guidance and the most up-to-date fees and processing times visit these GOV.UK pages: Marriage Visitor visa — https://www.gov.uk/marriage-visit-visa; Partner/Family visa — https://www.gov.uk/partner-family-visa; Give notice — https://www.gov.uk/give-notice-marriage-civil-partnership.

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Getting married in the UK as a foreign national is straightforward if the steps are followed in the right order: pick the right visa, give notice with the correct documents, book the registrar and venue, and keep copies of everything. Check the GOV.UK pages above for live fees and processing times, and get specialist immigration advice if your situation is complex — for example, if prior marriages, limited leave or asylum status are involved.

This article was created with AI assistance.