Marriage is a major step in anyone’s life. It requires a lot of preparation, contemplation, and decision-making. Just because it’s an institution of two people loving each other for the rest of their lives, one must not take it lightly. There are several issues to be dealt with before tying the knot. Getting married to someone you love would not serve any purpose if there are legal hassles later on in the marriage. One should know all about the requirements for getting married – this will avert future problems when things get complicated legally. Below are some wedding requirements that need to be fulfilled by the couple beforehand:
1) Identity Proof –
To prove the age of the bride and groom, identity proofs are necessary. They should carry copies of their birth certificates, driving license or any other acceptable document issued by authorities that contain details about their date of birth and place of birth.
2) Residence Proof –
This is required to ensure that all partners are residents of the UK for at least seven years before applying for a marriage certificate. Acceptable documents containing qualifying address include utility bills (electricity, water), driving license, copy of passport/visa/immigration papers, etc.
3) Additional Documentation
In case only one partner is a British citizen, they may have to submit additional documentary proof as evidence towards this fact. The documentation process varies from case to case depending on the individual’s country of origin.
4) No Blood Test Required –
Unlike some other countries, there is no need for a blood test or any medical examination to be carried out prior to the marriage in the UK.
5) Death Certificate of Previous Marriage –
If the partners have been married before, they must provide a death certificate of the previous spouse. This document is required to establish that the partners are not still legally married to someone else.
6) Divorce Decree –
If either of the partners has been divorced before, they must provide a copy of the divorce decree to prove that the divorce is final and legally binding.
7) Parental Consent –
In case either the bride or groom is below 18 years of age, written parental consent is necessary from both biological parents. If one of the parents is deceased, then the death certificate should be submitted as proof. And if one of the parents is not available, a guardianship letter from a court of law would suffice.
8) Proof of Address and Nationality –
This could be in the form of utility bills, driving licenses, passport/visa/immigration papers, etc.
9) Proof of Financial Independence –
The couple must provide evidence that they are capable of supporting themselves financially without any assistance from their families. This could be in the form of bank statements, payslips, mortgage/rent agreements, etc.
10) Marriage Notice –
A marriage notice must be submitted to the local register office stating the details of the bride, groom, and proposed venue. The notice is then displayed in the office for 21 days to allow any objections to be raised.
EndNote
Once all the relevant documents have been collected and verified, the couple can go ahead and apply for a marriage certificate. The application process may differ slightly from one registry office to another, but generally, it involves filling out a form and submitting all the required documents. There is usually a charge for this service, which can be paid in cash or cheque.
After the marriage certificate has been legally approved, the newlyweds are advised to make a copy of it for their personal records. The original document should then be submitted to the relevant authorities in their respective countries to ensure that they are now legally married in accordance with each country’s matrimonial laws.
