Certificate of Approval (COA) — Visa to Get Married in the UK

If you plan to get married or register your civil partnership in the United Kingdom and you are subject to immigration control while in the United Kingdom, you may need to apply for a certificate of approval (COA).

It is not possible to apply for a certificate of approval if you are outside the United Kingdom. Applications are made on a COA Form and whether you are overseas or already in the United Kingdom, you will need to give a registrar at a designated register office notice to marry or register your civil partnership.

Questions

Do I require a COA?

The rules on certificate of approval do not apply to you if you:

• are a British citizen; or
  
  
• are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA); or
  
  
• are the family member of an EEA national and have right of residence in the United Kingdom but are not yourself an EEA national; or
  
  
• have in your passport a certificate of entitlement giving you right of abode in the United Kingdom; or
  
  
• are not subject to immigration control.
  
  

What type of entry clearance do I require to get married or register a civil partnership?

If you are coming to the United Kingdom from overseas to get married or register your civil partnership, before you can give a registrar notice to marry or register your civil partnership you must have in your passport:

• fiancé(e) entry clearance; or
  
  
• proposed civil partner entry clearance; or
  
  
• marriage visitor entry clearance; or
  
  
• civil partnership visitor entry clearance.
  
  

What if I am already present in the UK?

If you are already in the United Kingdom, before giving a registrar notice to marry or register your civil partnership you will need to:

• have settled status in the United Kingdom; or
  
  
• obtain a certificate of approval