Do foreign documents need translating for your marriage notice?
Any document you rely on that is not in English or Welsh generally needs an official translation before your register office can accept it. This applies to foreign birth certificates, divorce decrees and death certificates, and can add significant time to your preparations, so arrange it early.
What needs translating
Any supporting document written in another language — a foreign decree absolute equivalent, a birth certificate, or a death certificate — normally needs a certified English translation, even if you also have a passport.
Who can translate
Register offices generally expect a translation from a professional translator or translation service who can certify its accuracy. Requirements on exactly who qualifies can vary between councils, so confirm with your own office.
Timing
Certified translation can take longer than expected, particularly for documents from countries where obtaining the original itself is slow. Start this process as soon as you know a foreign document will be needed.
What this means for you
- Build translation time into your planning timeline separately from the notice period itself.
- Ask your register office what form of certified translation they will accept before you pay for one.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — Give notice at your local register office
- GOV.UK — Marriage and civil partnership referral and investigation scheme
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.