Slough Borough Council

Getting married where one person lives abroad

If you wish to marry in this country but one of you lives abroad, there are two ways in which you can organise giving the notice and getting married.

It takes 23 days to complete the arrangements  – 7 days residency before notice can be given by the party from abroad and 16 days for the period of the notice.

These 23 days can be organised in one of two ways.

Either the person from abroad can come to this country and stay for the 23 days in one time span.

Or the person from abroad can come to this country and stay for 7 days to establish residency. At the end of the 7 days, notice can be given and the party can go back to their own country. They can then fly in again anytime after 16 days and up to one year from the date of the notice. In other words the actual marriage could be many months after the notice was given.

If you have a party flying in to establish residency and give notice, please phone the office on 01753 787600 as soon as you know the date of arrival in this country. That way we can ensure that you will be able to make an appointment for the notices to be given when you need it.