Certificate of Approval

If you wish to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK and you are subject to immigration control you will need to obtain permission from the Home Office in the form of a Certificate of Approval. Call our consultants for up to date advice.

To qualify for a Certificate of Approval, you must normally have been granted leave to enter or leave to remain for more than six months and three months of that leave must still remain.

The certificate is valid for three months from the date it is issued or up to the date when your Visa expires, whichever is soonest. You must give your notice to marry or register your civil partnership within this time. The certificate allows you to give notice to marry or register your civil partnership however it does not guarantee a successful outcome to any applications for leave as a spouse or civil partner.

If you are a British citizen, an EEA national or hold Right of Abode in the UK you are not subject to immigration control and do not require a Certificate of Approval to marry or enter into a Civil Partnership.

If you are coming to the UK from abroad to get married or register your civil partnership, you must have obtained entry clearance prior to travelling to the UK in the form of either a Fiancé(e)Visa, Proposed Civil Partner Visa, Marriage Visitor Visa or Civil Partnership Visitor Visa. This is usually obtained through the British mission in your country of residence. Call our consultants for up to date advice.

Once legally married or entered into a Civil Partnership you may then apply for leave to remain as a Spouse or Civil Partner.

Our consultants are trained to provide UK immigration advice under the authority of the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). Our consultants may provide you with the advice however they may charge for a one to one consultation meeting.