Every person wishing to marry in the UK has to prove their nationality before giving their notice of intention to marry.

If you are a person who is subject to immigration control, you will need to follow the new rules, which have applied since 1st February 2005.

You will need to follow the new rules regarding entry clearance, applying for a Home Office certificate of approval for marriage and giving your notice of intention to marry, together with your partner at a designated Register Office (Waltham Forest is a designated Register Office).

You will not be able to give notice of intention to marry unless:

  • You have an entry clearance granted expressly for the purpose of marriage - Entry clearance is the granting of permission to enter the UK by an Entry Clearance Officer in the British Embassy/High Commission in the person’s country. It will usually be shown as a visa in the persons passport or travel document.
  • Or you have the written permission of the Secretary of State to marry in the UK – this will take the form of a certificate of approval which can be obtained from the Immigration and Nationality Department - This will usually only be issued when the person has been granted leave to remain for over six months from the date on which they entered the UK and that leave is still in force. The certificate of approval must be surrendered to the Superintendent Registrar when the notice of intention to marry is given.
  • Or you fall within a class of persons specified by the Secretary of State - This will be someone with settled status in the UK.

Please note: The minimum legal age for getting married in England and Wales is 16 years of age, but written consent is required for anyone under 18.

Registration officers have a statutory duty to report any marriage they suspect has been arranged for the sole purpose of evading statutory immigration controls

For further information telephone the Home Office Information Line 0870 606 7766 or go to website www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk.

Contact Details

Immigration and Nationality Directorate
Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road
CROYDON
CR9 2BY