If you are coming to the UK from overseas to get married, you must have either a fiancé or fiancée or marriage visitor visa in your passport in order to give notice to marry to a registrar.

How can I marry a British citizen?

To gain British citizenship by marriage, you must be married to a British citizen or settled person and hold Indefinite Leave to remain for at least a year. This process is called British naturalization. Naturalization is the name given to the process of applying for British citizenship.

Can I stay in the UK if I get married?

If you are a Non-EU national and are married or are in civil partnership with a “settled person” in the UK, you can apply for a Spouse or a Civil Partner Visa to enter and then remain in the UK. A “Settled person” being someone who is either a British citizen, or who has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK.

Does being born in the UK make you British?

You were born in the UK and after your birth one or both of your parents becomes a British citizen or gets indefinite leave to remain. You may be able to register as a British citizen, but you must apply before you turn 18.

What happens when you marry a British citizen?

Marriage or civil partnerships in the UK does not automatically grant citizenship to the spouse that is not a UK resident. Therefore, when a person marries a UK citizen and ultimately wishes to remain and live in the UK, they must apply for legal recognition of their status to remain in the UK.

Do you have to be a British citizen to be married in the UK?

If you’re married to a British citizen or are the civil partner of one, you can apply for British citizenship. You’ll need to meet a range of requirements and pass a life in the UK test. You must have indefinite leave to stay in the UK or permanent residence.

How long does it take to get married in the UK?

They intend to enter into a marriage or civil partnership within a ‘reasonable period’ following their entry to the UK. This usually means that the marriage or civil partnership should be entered into within 6 months.

Can a foreign national marry a UK resident?

The following article explains the laws on marrying a UK resident including the entry requirements for a spouse or civil partner, the immigration status that will be offered to the foreign national and the documentation presented to authorise the marriage and authority to live in the UK.

Can a spouse of a British citizen apply for naturalisation?

As a spouse of a British citizen, you can apply to naturalise as soon as you are granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, a permanent residence card or settled status under the EU settlement scheme.