How to register a marriage

Marriages - This information is for guidance only.

Religious marriage

British Nationals can only marry in religious ceremonies in Lebanon. When a British citizen wishes marry in a Lebanese religious marriage which is recognised by the Lebanese authorities the British person needs to make a statutory declaration at the Embassy and show that they are not in any subsisting marriage: i.e. are single, widowed or divorced, and there is no impediment. A British passport must be presented. A fee is charged for this service.

When a British national is marrying a Lebanese national further advice should be sought from a local lawyer to be sure of the legal consequences of marrying a Lebanese citizen, especially if you are a woman. You should also contact the relevant local authority following a religious marriage if you want it to be recognised by the Lebanese state.

Using your Lebanese Marriage certificate in the UK

You may want to legalise your Arabic Lebanese marriage certificate document for use in the UK – see our advice on How to legalise a document.

Validity of foreign law marriages

The validity under English law of foreign law marriages is not a matter on which the Embassy can give authoritative advice: it is a matter for British courts to decide. Should you wish further advice on this point, or any other point of law, a solicitor should be consulted.

Deposit of foreign law marriage certificates

It should be clearly understood that there is no legal obligation to have a foreign law marriage recorded in the United Kingdom and that if you want this to happen your marriage certificate will be retained by the UK government records office. You may take advantage of these facilities if you consider that it would serve some useful purpose to have your marriage recorded in the United Kingdom, but neither the formal nor the essential validity in English law of a marriage contracted in a foreign country is in any way affected by its having been, or not having been, thus recorded.

If you decide you want to have a marriage recorded in the United Kingdom, once the Lebanese marriage has taken place, the Arabic marriage certificate and an English translation (with no corrections) may be deposited with the Embassy by the British party or parties to the marriage and, on payment of a consular fee, the documents are forwarded to the Registrar General in the United Kingdom so that certified copies can subsequently be obtained in the United Kingdom.

Marriages are recorded on the instruction of a British National and in the part of the UK where the British national was/is resident.

England and Wales

Scotland

Northern Ireland

Marriage at the Embassy

In certain circumstances it may be possible for British Nationals to marry in a non religious ceremony at the Embassy.  The law governing this is complex and reaching a decision on whether we are able to legally marry you may take some time. You will need to contact us to discuss and to provide detailed further information.