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MARRIED ABROAD.

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kloofnek | 08:37 Wed 30th May 2012 | Civil
16 Answers
If someone marries abroad or onboard a ship,would it be registered here in the UK.
I have been looking for a marriage but cannot find it in GRO records.I know they were definately married,so am wondering if it was abroad,like so many do these days.
Any one have an answer for me please
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No unless it was a UK registered ship. I believe that in fact some 'weddings' in Asian resorts aren't legal in the UK or anywhere else.
My son married in Istanbul, Turkey and he had to register the marriage at the British Embassy in Istanbul. I don't know if this is the same in all countries.
You still have to register the marriage when you get back to the UK . You need to take the documents to your local ofice of births deaths and marriges and register it. I a lot of people do not realise this they think it is all done automatically.
I married abroad and didn`t have to register here. Over thirty years ago so rules may have changed.
Crickey Eddie. Gness boobs again. Didnt know that. Too late now. Whoops.
Yes as jomifl says some countries have marriage laws that are not recognised in the UK so you have to have another service here .
A legal marriage in another country is legal here but there won't be any record of it. This might cause problems with thing like pensions and next of kin issues so best to get it regiseret in the UK.
I see. Thought I`d missed an excuse for another party. Married in Canada so that would be the difference. I hope.
^ d...t, not even close!
Question Author
wow,didn`t expect so many replies!
So.it is possible it is not on the records here.

My parents married in East London,(my birth place)South Africa,my dad was in the R.A.F during the war,married my Dutch Afrikaans Mom who is(was,deceased now) .I have found that on Find My Past,under Armed Forces Marriages.
However,this a totally different thing to what I am looking into,the marriage I cannot find is not 10 years ago.
Thank you all for your imput.
From the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website

Can I register an overseas marriage in the UK when I return?

No, but you can have your marriage documents deposited with the General Register Office (GRO).

This isn’t compulsory, but it means your marriage certificate is kept by the GRO as an official record and you will be able to easily get copies of it in the future.

We can deposit marriage documents for you.

Please note: you’ll need to get your documents translated if they’re not in English.
Question Author
Thank You.
This is not my marriage...I am looking for a marriage do do with my family tree.
Once again,thank you for all your replies.
You might find it is only registered in the country the ship was registered too, or in the country of the marriage if on land. I married in Cyprus and there was no requirement for me to register anything in this country so the only record is in the Cypriot town hall.
That "ships' Captains can marry people" thing is not true and never has been.
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Oh Lord,if this is true..many people are not legally wed.If there was a reverend on board and performed the ceremony...then it would be valid.????
Question Author
Just found this..
".Even though it is believed to be a regular event, weddings at sea are a rarity. A ship's captain generally does NOT have the legal right to perform a wedding at sea. In order for a Captain of a ship to perform a marriage at sea, he must also be a judge, a justice of the peace, a minister, or an officially recognized officiant such as a Notary Public. "

It is an American website...marriage.about.com..so the rules may be different there to in the UK.

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