REPLACEMENT MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES
Providing replacement marriage certificates and apostilles
1Apostille can order a new marriage certificate for you. Providing a quick replacement document service we obtain a new version of your marriage certificate from the government. This is referred to as a certified copy of an entry. We can then legalise the marriage certificate with our fast apostille service so you can present the new marriage certificate overseas. Legalising a marriage certificate with the apostille will ensure it is accepted outside of the UK. Not sure what the apostille is? Visit our what is an apostille page.
Marriage Certificates
We can order a replacement birth certificate for you, direct from the General Register Office (GRO). When ordering a birth certificate we normally order the ‘long version’ that includes more detail. It is the long version, with parents names included, that is more widely accepted outside of the UK.
Why You May Need a Replacement Marriage Certificate
A marriage certificate is one of the most commonly requested identity documents by overseas authorities. It may be needed when applying for a passport, getting a visa, dealing with immigration matters, proving family relationships, or completing an overseas legal process.
If your original certificate has been lost, damaged or is no longer suitable for the purpose you need it for, you may need to obtain an official replacement marriage certificate.
What is a replacement marriage certificate?
A replacement marriage certificate is a new certified copy of the entry held on the official register of marriages in the UK.
It is not simply a photocopy of an old certificate. An official replacement is issued from the records held by the government) and can normally be used in the same way as the certificate originally issued. It is official sealed or signed by the government.
For marriages registered in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, replacement certificates can usually be obtained in a few days or a few weeks.
Can a replacement marriage certificate be apostilled?
Yes. An official replacement UK marriage certificate issued by the government can be legalised with the apostille.
The apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature, seal or stamp associated with the marriage certificate so that it can be recognised in another country that accepts apostilles under the Hague Apostille Convention.
The apostille does not confirm that the information recorded on the marriage certificate is correct. It authenticates the UK public document for international use.
Photocopies or scans cannot have the apostille. Photocopies of marriage certificates certified by a solicitor or notary CANNOT be issued with an apostille. Marriage certificates cannot have an e-apostille.
Does the marriage certificate need to be recently issued?
This depends on the authority requesting the document.
The UK apostille process does not generally require a marriage certificate to have been issued within a particular number of months simply because it is an older certificate.
However, some overseas authorities impose their own requirements and may ask for a recently issued copy.
For example, an overseas visa department, consulate or immigration office might ask for a marriage certificate issued within the previous three or six months.
If you have been given a specific age requirement for the certificate, obtaining a new replacement before arranging the apostille can prevent unnecessary delays.
What information is needed to obtain a replacement marriage certificate?
The information required will depend on the registration authority, but it will normally include details such as:
- Year marriage was registered
- Party 1 Surname
- Party 1 Forenames
- Party 2 Surname
- Party 2 Forenames
- Date of marriage (dd/mm/yyyy)
- Place of marriage
- Party 1 Father’s Surname
- Party 1 Father’s Forenames
- Party 2 Father’s Surname
- Party 2 Father’s Forenames
The more accurate information provided, the easier it is to order the correct registration record.