Current as of March 2018
Military Steps
First, you must contact the Military Personnel Flight
for the necessary paperwork
• AFI 36-2609; Marriage in Overseas
Commands, paragraph 3 states Air Force
personnel stationed in or visiting foreign
countries are required to obtain written
authorization from the senior overseas area
Commander prior to marrying, a foreign
national who is not a legal resident of the
U.S.
• 3.3. Civilian personnel serving with,
employed by or accompanying the Air Force
outside the United States under Department
of Defense (DoD) sponsorship are not
required to submit applications for
authorization to marry.
• If your intended partner is underage you will
have to obtain written and notarized consent
of the parents or legal guardian of the
applicant and of the intended spouse.
• 3.8. Prior to granting authorization to marry,
a medical examination will be required of
each foreign national fiancé/fiancée and all
dependents who will actually be residing
with the prospective spouse, and that intend
to seek admission to the U.S. The
examination may be administered at either a
U.S. Public Health Service office or a U.S.
Forces medical facility and will be of
sufficient scope and thoroughness to detect
mental or physical illness or conditions
• Additionally, 3.9. Premarital investigations:
Members will refer to their Unit Security
Managers for determination of a premarital
investigation in accordance with AFI 31-
501, Personnel Security Management
Program Management.
Civil Steps in the United Kingdom
• You must give notice at your local registrar
office.
• The most commonly used registrar is Bury
St. Edmunds, St Margaret’s 7, The
Churchyard, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1RX,
United Kingdom (01284-732888).
• You must give notice of your intention to
marry or form a civil partnership before your
ceremony can take place.
• You need an appointment at your local
Registration Office to complete your Notice
of Marriage or Civil Partnership - this can be
done up to 12 months before the date of your
ceremony, but
no later than 28 days prior to
the ceremony
• The fee for giving notice of the marriage can
be up to £100.
Where Can a Marriage Take Place?
A religious wedding can take place at a church,
chapel or other registered religious building. Any
premises approved by the local authority to include
Hotels and Stately Homes. Religious blessings can
take place after civil ceremonies in a registrar office.
Marriage Ceremony
Any marriage ceremony must be:
1) Conducted by a person or in the presence of a
person authorized to register marriages in the
district; and
2) Entered in the marriage registrar and signed by
both parties, two witnesses, the person who
conducted the ceremony and, if that person is not
authorized to register marriages, the person who
is registering the marriage.
Religious Marriage Ceremonies
No notice is required if the ceremony is conducted in
the Church of England. Notice must be provided for
all other religions.
Church of England, Jewish or Quaker leaders can
register marriages. Ministers or priests of all other
religions must have a certificate or license to register
marriages. All marriages may be registered if a
Registrar is present.
Procedure for Marrying
When giving notice of your intention to marry, you
are required to give your name, address, date of birth
(if under 23 you must show your birth certificate),
father’s name and occupation, partner's father's name
and occupation, and if applicable, documentary
evidence that any previous marriages have ended.
Documents to Take to the Register Office
When you go to the registrar office, you need to take
proof of your name, age and nationality by showing
them at least two
of the following:
• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Driving license
• National identity card
• Immigration status document
The Registrar also needs proof of your address, such
as a driver’s license or one of the following dated
within the last three
months:
• Gas, water or electricity bill
• Bank statement
• Council tax bill
You might need other documents if you don’t have a
valid passport and you were born after 1983. Check
with the registrar office.
Overseas Recognition of U.K. Marriages
A legally valid marriage performed in the U.K. is
recognized in many other countries. However,
confirmation should be sought from the embassy of
the country concerned.
Remarriage
If you’ve been married or in a civil partnership
before, you need to take either:
• a decree absolute or final order; or
• The death certificate of your former partner.
A valid foreign divorce will usually be recognized in
England and Wales.
Current as of March 2018
Same Sex Couples
Since 29 March 2014, same sex couples can marry in
the United Kingdom. (Ireland 16Nov2015)
You can:
• Form a civil partnership
• Marry
• Convert your civil partnership into a marriage
Same Sex Couples can not marry in an Anglican
Church. They can marry in other religious buildings
if:
• The religious organization allows same sex
weddings to take place; or
• The premises has been registered for the
marriage of same sex couples.
This handout is for basic information on topic
covered as it relates to military personnel stationed in
the United Kingdom. It is not intended to take the
place of legal advice from a Judge Advocate. There
may be important exceptions in some states to the
information presented here. Please contact the Legal
Office for questions and further information. You
may view more information on various legal topics at
the Air Force Legal Assistance website found at
https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil
. Additionally,
complete legal worksheets for Wills, Living Wills,
Powers of Attorney (General, Special, and for Health
Care), and access to the Online Survey are found on
the Air Force Legal Assistance website.
Scan Below to Access the:
RAF Mildenhall Legal Office Website
www.mildenhall.af.mil/Info/Legal-Office
Legal Assistance Website
https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil
Legal Assistance Information Series
MARRIAGE IN THE
UNITED KINGDOM
Hours of Operation (Walk-ins)
Notary Public & Powers of Attorney
Monday – Friday: 800-1630 hrs
Legal Assistance
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