Do your documents need translating or an apostille?
Any document in a language other than English or Welsh needs a certified translation to be used at a UK notice appointment or when registering a foreign marriage. An apostille is a separate step, usually needed when you are sending a UK document abroad or when a foreign authority asks you to prove a document is genuine.
Certified translation
A certified translation is a translation accompanied by a signed statement from the translator confirming it is accurate and complete. UK register offices generally expect this alongside the original foreign-language document, not instead of it.
What an apostille does
An apostille is a certificate that authenticates a public document, such as a UK marriage certificate, for use in another country that is party to the Hague Apostille Convention. It confirms the document was issued by a genuine UK authority.
Whether you need one depends entirely on the requirements of the country you are sending the document to, not on UK marriage law.
Getting it right the first time
Check the exact requirement with the receiving authority — some ask for translation only, some ask for an apostille only, and some ask for both, sometimes in a specific order.
What this means for you
- Do not assume translation alone is enough if a document is going abroad — check whether an apostille is also required.
- Order documents and legalisation well in advance, since both steps add processing time.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — Order a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate
- GOV.UK — Give notice at your local register office
Last reviewed: 17 August 2026 · Next review due 17 November 2026
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Related guides
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.