Weddings overseas have become a growing trend in recent years. With the advent of easier travel, package holidays and an abundance of wedding planners to help - is this an option for your wedding day?

Whatever country you are resident in there will be different rules regarding the legality of a destination wedding. This can range from a need to conduct a civil ceremony beforehand to the marriage being automatically registered as legal. You should also check the rules in the destination country - some have a minimum residency requirement, and many require several documents and proof of ‘no impediment’.

So don’t expect to just arrive and get married! It can take time to check the rules and gather the necessary documents and permissions.

UK Residents

Check out Getting married abroad - GOV.UK where you can complete an online process for any required documents.

Your wedding overseas will be valid providing you are legally allowed to marry in the UK and have correctly followed the destinations legal process correctly.

EU Residents

Your wedding overseas will be valid providing you are legally allowed to marry in your home country and have correctly followed the destinations legal process correctly. You can choose to have the marriage officially recognised but this is not compulsory.

US Residents

The United States has no national registration of marriages, foreign or domestic. U.S. states recognize marriages performed in other states and in other countries. More details can be found here: Marriage Abroad (state.gov).

South Africa

There is no provision for the registration of the marriage of a South African citizen solemnized in a foreign country. For more details look here: http://www.dha.gov.za/

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