Sorting out the paperwork for an overseas wedding doesn’t have to be daunting. Here’s our simple glossary of the legal documents you might need, and how to go about getting them.
NB: For some destinations, such as Jamaica, you’ll need to have your documents legalised by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London. The Kuoni Weddings team will give you details if this is required.
Affidavit
• This can be obtained from a Notary Public, who can usually be found through a solicitor’s office.
• It should detail information relevant to your circumstances to address the needs of the authorities in your chosen destination – for example, your martial status and that you’re free to marry while there.
• Once you’ve booked your holiday and wedding with us we’ll provide an example that will help you. • Costs may vary considerably from solicitor to solicitor and the affidavit will need to be signed and stamped.
Certificate of No Impediment
• This is required by some countries and states that there’s no known impediment to your proposed marriage.
• If one is required for your chosen destination we’ll inform you on the document check list within your wedding pack.
• The validity period of Certificates of No Impediment varies (sometimes it’s just for a few months), so check the requirements that apply to your circumstances.
• A Certificate of No Impediment alone may be insufficient for a marriage to take place in a foreign country.
• The certificate is prepared by the Superintendent Registrar at your local Register Office, and costs approx £45 per person.
• You’ll need to take various identification documents to your appointment, which receptionist will outline.
• If there are no complications, the Certificate of No Impediment will be issued between 17 and 23 days after your appointment.
Registering the wedding
• A marriage that took place abroad under foreign local law cannot be registered in the UK.
• However, a record of the marriage may be lodged with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office via the General Register Office (telephone 0151 471 4801) by depositing an original marriage certificate. • This only applies to certain countries, and where it’s possible a fee will be charged.
• This means that in future a marriage certificate could be issued by the General Register Office here, should the need arise.
Certified document
• These can be provided by a solicitor who is legally granted to do so.
• An original document, such as a birth certificate will be required. This will be photocopied, stamped (which should include the solicitor’s name) and signed by a solicitor, indicating that it’s a true copy of an original document.
• If you’re required to provide certified copies (such as for a wedding in Jamaica), we ask that any signatures obtained from your solicitor are in red or blue ink. This helps overseas authorities and ensures that certified copies are not mistaken for a photocopy.
Decree absolute
• If a party is divorced or their marriage has been annulled, documents must be provided to prove the dissolution or annulment.
• Once a divorce or annulment has been made final, the court will send you a Decree Absolute which bears a red or embossed court seal. This decree must bear the court stamp - without it your wedding may not take place.
• In some countries couples who have divorced cannot re-marry until a full 12 months after divorcing.
• NB: Cuba does not allow weddings for divorced couples.
Apostille
• An Apostille is official confirmation that a signature, seal or stamp appearing on a document is genuine.
• It can be obtained at the legislation service of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.