Marriage Certificate Services
Notarisation and Apostille Services for Marriage Certificate
When relocating abroad, you may need to present your marriage certificate as legal documentation. At Wharf Notaries, our expert team is here to help you authenticate and legalise your marriage certificate efficiently.
Discover more about marriage certificates and our process for legalising this important document.
Process to Apostille a Marriage Certificate
To obtain an apostille, you must submit your marriage certificate to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). We offer both a premium same-day apostille service for urgent needs and a standard 3-5 working day service for less pressing situations.
Wharf Notaries can guide you through each step of the process:
- Contact Us: Let us know what you need. Complete our online Client Registration Form, and we will explain the identification and verification process.
- Submit Your Certificate: You can either book an appointment to deliver the original marriage certificate to our office or mail it securely to us.
- Apostille Service: We will have your document apostilled using our Premium or Standard service. If you require consular legalisation, we can assist with that as well.
- Receive Your Document: Once complete, we’ll scan the document with the apostille and return it to you. We can also send it directly to a third party if needed.
If you need assistance with notarisation or apostilling your marriage certificate, we’re here to help.
What Documents Are You Required to Provide When Applying for an Apostille Certificate?
To notarise or apostille a marriage certificate, you must provide the original marriage certificate. While specific details may vary by jurisdiction, the following information is generally included:
- Spouse Names: Full legal names of both individuals.
- Date of Marriage: Exact date of the ceremony.
- Place of Marriage: Location, including city/town and venue.
- Officiant Information: Name and title of the officiant.
- Witnesses: Names and signatures of witnesses, if applicable.
- Marriage License Information: Details about the marriage license.
- Registration Details: Information on when and where the marriage was registered.
Why You Might Need an Apostille for a Marriage Certificate
- Emigrating to another country
- Divorce proceedings
- Starting new employment abroad
- Executing a will
- Purchasing or selling property overseas
- Obtaining overseas citizenship
- Applying for a visa
- Proving the legitimacy of a child
- Registering your marriage overseas
- Dealing with the death of a spouse while living abroad
An apostille certificate authenticates your original marriage certificate issued by the General Register Office (GRO) or a local registrar. It provides official government recognition that the marriage certificate is valid, offering reassurance to recipients in foreign countries.
The Hague Convention, established in 1961, introduced apostille stamps as a means of legalising various documents, including marriage certificates. Apostille certificates are accepted by over 120 member countries of the Hague Convention.
If the country where you need to use the marriage certificate is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, the document will require further legalisation by the relevant embassy or consulate.
What Is a Marriage Certificate?
A marriage certificate is a government-issued document that officially declares two people are married. It serves as legal proof that the marriage took place and should be kept safe for future reference.
Marriage certificates were first introduced in England and Wales in the eighteenth century, coinciding with the establishment of registration districts managed by superintendent registrars.
This document records and confirms the marriage in a central database. In the UK, marriage certificates are protected by Crown copyright, meaning they cannot be photocopied. To obtain a copy, you must request a certified copy from the General Register Office.
How Can I Apply For A Marriage Certificate?
To apply for a marriage certificate, you must follow these steps before getting legally married or entering a civil partnership:
- Submit a Notice: Go to your local register office to submit a notice of your intent to marry. This notice will be displayed for 28 days.
- Meet with the Superintendent Registrar: Schedule an appointment to meet with the superintendent registrar. Bring all necessary documents, as they will verify your eligibility to marry and explain the legal agreement you are entering.
- Confirmation: Once the 28-day notice period is over, the registrar can confirm your legal ability to marry, allowing you to proceed with your civil or religious ceremony.
Apostilling a Non-UK Marriage Certificate
To apostille a non-UK marriage certificate, it must first be notarised. Here’s the process:
- Provide the Original Certificate: Submit your original marriage certificate to us for verification.
- Authenticity Check: We will conduct checks to confirm the certificate’s authenticity.
- Notarisation: After verification, we will create a photocopy of the original and notarise that copy.
- Submission for Apostille: We will then submit the notarised copy to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for apostille processing, choosing either our Premium or Standard Service.
If you plan to use the apostilled certificate in a country that has not signed the Hague Apostille Convention, additional legalisation may be required through the relevant embassy. Be aware that some embassies, such as the Chinese Embassy, may not legalise non-UK marriage certificates.
Notarising and Apostilling an Islamic Marriage Certificate
For those who have had a nikkah or Islamic marriage ceremony, a marriage certificate issued by the officiating religious authority confirms the marriage. Since these certificates are not UK government-issued, they must be notarised before they can be apostilled.
To process your Islamic marriage certificate:
- Provide the Original Certificate: Submit the original nikkah certificate for authentication.
- Authenticity Check: Our team will verify its authenticity.
- Notarisation: We will make a photocopy and have it notarised by one of our notaries.
- Submission for Apostille: The notarised copy will then be sent to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for apostille processing.
If you plan to use the certificate in a non-Hague Convention country, additional legalisation at the relevant embassy may be necessary. Note that some embassies, such as the Egyptian Embassy, do not legalise nikkah certificates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Marriage Certificate
Do I need an apostille for my Islamic marriage certificate to be valid abroad?
Yes, an apostille is typically required for legal use abroad. This verifies your marriage certificate’s authenticity, making it valid in Hague Convention member countries. Non-member countries often require further embassy legalisation.
Can I use a photocopy of my nikkah certificate for apostille and legalisation?
No, an original or notarised copy of the certificate is generally required. We first notarise a photocopy of the original, then submit it for an apostille.
Why do some embassies refuse to legalise Islamic marriage certificates?
Some countries, such as Egypt and China, only recognise civil marriage certificates issued by government authorities. Therefore, they may not legalise religious certificates alone, such as a nikkah certificate.
Can I get my nikkah certificate apostilled if it wasn’t issued in the UK?
If your Islamic marriage certificate was issued outside the UK, it generally must first be notarised locally before an apostille can be applied by the relevant authority in that country.
How long does it take to notarise and apostille a marriage certificate?
Notarisation is usually done on the same day. Standard apostille processing takes 3-5 business days, while our premium service offers same-day apostille.
How much does it cost to notarise and apostille a marriage certificate?
The cost varies depending on the service selected (standard or premium) and any additional requirements like consular legalisation. Contact us for a tailored quote.
Can I notarise and apostille a digital copy of my marriage certificate?
Digital copies alone aren’t accepted for this process; however, certified paper copies can be notarised and apostilled if an original is not available.