What is a certificate of no impediment?
A certificate of no impediment (CNI) is a document confirming that a UK register office has checked its records and found no legal reason why you cannot marry. Many countries require one from British or Irish citizens, or UK residents, before they will allow a marriage to take place there.
When you need one
If you plan to marry abroad, the authorities in that country will tell you whether they require a CNI as part of their own marriage process. Requirements vary by country, so check with the local authority or embassy where you plan to marry.
How to get one
You apply through a register office in England or Wales, typically by giving notice in the normal way. The register office publishes the notice for the standard period, and if no objection is raised, issues the certificate.
It is not a UK marriage
A certificate of no impediment does not marry you and does not commit you to marrying in the UK. It simply supports an application to marry somewhere else, under that country's own rules.
What this means for you
- Apply for a CNI well ahead of an overseas wedding, since it follows the same notice timescales as a UK marriage.
- Check directly with the country you are marrying in as to whether a CNI is required and how recent it must be.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — Give notice at your local register office
- GOV.UK — Marriages and civil partnerships in the UK
Last reviewed: 17 August 2026 · Next review due 17 November 2026
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Simply Married is an independent planning service, not a register office or government department. Confirm current requirements and fees with your own register office and on GOV.UK.