The laws regarding marriage ceremonies outside of England and Wales are very complex and it would be both confusing and impracticable to try and cover all the aspects here.

The laws on where you can marry outside of England and Wales are dependent upon whether both parties are British subjects, one a British subject and another a foreign national, or whether the marriage is to be in a Commonwealth or foreign country and where both parties to the marriage reside.

You are advised to contact the Consul of the foreign country or British Consul for where the marriage is to take place, to determine what documentation you will be required to produce to the local authorities in that country before the marriage can take place.

Marriage with Foreigners Act

This is a facility to allow a British subject who is resident in England or Wales to marry a foreign national in a foreign country. You will need to give formal notice of intention to marry to the Superintendent Registrar of the area in which you live and you must have been resident there for at least 21 clear days before giving notice. A “Certificate of No Impediment” will then be issued after 21 days have elapsed since the giving of the notice. This will usually need to be produced to the British Consul for where the marriage is to take place and, after all formalities are completed, they will issue their certificate for production to the foreign marriage authority.

Please note that this is a brief summary and full advice should be sought from the relevant Consul or the Waltham Forest Register Office.

If you have been asked to provide an Apostille – which is simply a formal confirmation that a signature, seal or stamp appearing on a document is genuine – please contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.fco.gov.uk) on 020 7008 1111 for full details including fees. or for advice on whether your marriage overseas is legal at home go to (http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/marriages/registration/marriagec4d.asp).