A marriage certificate is an official document issued by a UK registry office confirming the legal union of two individuals. It includes names, date, and place of marriage and is often required for legal or immigration use abroad.
Common Uses
This document is often requested by:
Foreign immigration and visa authorities
Overseas embassies and consulates
Banks and legal bodies abroad
Local authorities for spouse visa or residency applications
Apostille Requirements
Certification required: The marriage certificate must be an official copy issued by the General Register Office (GRO) or local registry. It must be certified by a UK solicitor or notary public before apostille.
Original document: The apostille will be applied to the certified original.
Not eligible for e-apostille: Marriage certificates must be processed through the physical apostille service.
Important Notes
Only official, long-form certificates are accepted for apostille. Photocopies or commemorative versions are not valid. Some countries may require a certified translation and embassy legalisation after apostille. Always check the destination country’s requirements.
