How to register a marriage
Depositing marriage and civil partnership documents in the UK
If you are married through a civil ceremony or entered into a civil partnership in Mexico, this is recognised under UK law.You CAN’T register an overseas marriage or civil partnership in the UK but you can deposit your marriage documents with the General Register Office (GRO). We can do this for you.
To deposit your documents
- you must have been married in a foreign country, but not a commonwealth country (see list below)
- one of you must be British
You can deposit your documents at any time after the marriage or civil partnership has taken place.
Benefits of depositing your documents
- you can obtain certified copies of your documents without having to apply to the authorities in the country where you married.
- your marriage documents will become an official record.
Applying to deposit your certificate
-If you live in Mexico you can apply for this service through the British Consulate in Mexico City.-If you are now living in the UK you can apply through our office in London.
Deposit of Marriage certificate Form (PDF, 10 KB)
Deposit of Foreign and Commonwealth Civil Partnership Documents Form (PDF, 10KB)
- Ensure you bring all the documents we ask for on the checklist of the form.
- You’ll need to send us your original documents.
- Your marriage certificate will be certified by the British consulate in the district where the marriage took place.
After certifying the certificate the consulate will then forward it onto the General Register Office (GRO). The GRO will write to inform you that the documents have been deposited.
Please note: your original certificate will not be returned and once documents are deposited they can’t be released.
The GRO issues black and white certified photocopies of original certificates and their translation which are usually accepted in the same way as an original copy.
