Super Fast Apostille for your UK Marriage Certificate

What Is a UK Marriage Certificate?

A UK marriage certificate is the official paper record of a marriage registered in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Depending on where the marriage was registered, the certificate may have been issued by the General Register Office or a local register office in England and Wales, National Records of Scotland, or the General Register Office for Northern Ireland.

An official replacement certificate or certified copy issued by the appropriate registry authority is a valid official document.

Where do I order a replacement Marriage Certificate?

If you need a official Marriage Certificate replacement, you can order it directly from the GRO: https://www.gro.gov.uk/

For Scotland, order here: https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/order-certificate

Pro-Tip: You can get your certificate delivered straight to Ace Apostille – saving you time and speeding up your Apostille process. When ordering, under “Delivery Option”, use our Delivery Address: Ace Apostille, 3rd Floor, Elder House West, 590-598 Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 1LR, UK

Which UK Marriage Certificates Can Be Apostilled?

An official paper marriage certificate issued by a recognised UK public registry can usually be submitted directly for a paper apostille.

• Use the official certificate issued when the marriage was registered, or an official replacement from the relevant registry authority.
• Do NOT send a scan, screenshot, digital image or plain photocopy for direct apostille.
• Make sure the certificate is complete, readable and free from alterations.
• Ask Ace Apostille to review a damaged, heavily faded or laminated certificate before sending it.
• If the certificate was issued outside the UK, it must normally be legalised in its issuing country.

A solicitor-certified photocopy is not usually accepted for Apostille.

How Long Does a Marriage Certificate Apostille Take?

Ace Apostille offers a Next-Day paper apostille service for eligible documents received by 11am on a working day. The completed apostille can usually be ready the following working day, subject to successful document and signature verification.

Delivery time is additional. An older certificate, an unusual registrar signature or a document requiring further checks may take longer.

If you need a replacement certificate, allow time for the General Register Office, National Records of Scotland or the General Register Office for Northern Ireland to issue it before apostille processing begins.

Does My Apostilled Marriage Certificate Need a Translation?

Possibly. The receiving authority may require a certified or sworn translation if it does not accept documents written in English.

Confirm whether the certificate should be apostilled before translation and whether the translation itself requires certification or legalisation. These requirements vary between countries and authorities.

Ace Apostille can provide a translation quote after reviewing the document and destination requirements.

Islamic Nikah Marriage Certificate Apostille in the UK

If you need to use an Islamic Nikah Marriage Certificate overseas, you may be asked to have the document apostilled in the UK. However, a Nikah certificate is a religious document, so the apostille process can be different from apostilling an official UK civil marriage certificate.

Ace Apostille can help you understand the correct process and arrange the certification and UK Apostille where the document is eligible.

What is an Islamic Nikah Marriage?

A Nikah is a sacred Islamic marriage contract that formalises a marriage under Islamic law. The Nikah ceremony is normally conducted by an Imam and records the agreement between the bride and groom to enter into marriage.

A Nikah may be evidenced by an Islamic Marriage Certificate, sometimes issued by the Imam, mosque or Islamic centre where the ceremony took place.

It is important to distinguish an Islamic Nikah from a UK civil marriage:
In England and Wales, a religious marriage must also satisfy the legal requirements for marriage to be recognised as a legal marriage. A Nikah carried out at an unregistered mosque or other venue may therefore be recognised religiously, but may not by itself create a legally recognised civil marriage in the UK.

How to Apostille a Nikah Islamic Marriage Certificate?

An Islamic Nikah Certificate normally cannot be treated in exactly the same way as a UK civil marriage certificate issued by the General Register Office.

Because the document is usually issued privately by a mosque or Imam, it may first need to be Certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before it can be submitted for an Apostille.

The typical process for a Islamic Marriage is:

1. Obtain the original Nikah Marriage Certificate
2. Have the document checked to confirm how it was issued
3. Arrange Solicitor or Notary Public certification
4. Submit the certified document for a UK Apostille
5. Receive the completed document ready for use overseas

Because Nikah certificates can be issued in different formats by different mosques, we recommend sending us a scan or photograph of your certificate before placing an order. We can check the document and advise what certification is required.

Where Can I Get an Islamic Marriage Certificate and Get It Apostilled?

If you had a Nikah ceremony but do not have your Islamic Marriage Certificate, the first place to contact is the person or organisation that conducted the ceremony. They may be able to issue a replacement certificate or provide confirmation of the original Nikah.

Once you have the certificate, Ace Apostille can help arrange the certification and Apostille process in the UK.

Can Ace Apostille Legalise My Nikah Certificate?

Yes. Ace Apostille can help with Islamic Nikah Marriage Certificates issued in the UK, including arranging any necessary solicitor or Notary Public certification before the Apostille.

As the requirements depend on the certificate itself and the country where you intend to use it, we recommend having the document checked first.