Certificate of Approval (COA)
You will have to apply for a Certificate of Approval (COA) to marry or register a civil partnership in the United Kingdom (UK) if you are in the UK on a visa that is not based on your relationship.
If you marry in an Anglican Church you do not need a COA. You need a COA if you want to have a religious or civil ceremony elsewhere.
To qualify for a Certificate of Approval you need to have permission to stay in the UK, and that permission needs to have been granted for more than six months. (That is, six months from the start of the visa, rather than now.)
The Certificate of Approval is valid for three months from the date of issue.
After the ceremony you may be able to apply to remain in the UK on the basis of your marriage or civil partnership. After two years, if you are still married or in a civil partnership, and you meet the Indefinite Leave to Remain conditions, you can apply for settlement.
Future Spouse or Civil Partner
Requires a UK Visa
If your fiancé/fiancée/proposed civil partner requires a visa to be in the UK, they will also need a Certificate of Approval. If your fiancé/fiancée/proposed civil partner is not currently in the UK, they will require Entry Clearance as a visitor for marriage or civil partnership instead.
EEA or Swiss National
If your fiancé/fiancée/proposed civil partner is an EEA or Swiss national, they do not need a Certificate of Approval. You will usually have the right to remain in the UK with your spouse or civil partner after the marriage or civil ceremony on the basis of European Community (EC) law.
Indefinite Leave to Remain/Settlement/British National
If your fiancé/fiancée/proposed civil partner has ILR/settlement in the UK, or British citizenship, or a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode, they do not need a Certificate of Approval. You will usually have the right to remain in the UK with your spouse or civil partner after the marriage or civil ceremony on the basis of UK Immigration Rules.
Do I need a lawyer?
If you would like professional assistance with a Certificate of Approval, contact us now for specific information about getting married and registering a civil partnership.Contact Us Now We strongly recommend you seek professional advice if you have less than three months remaining on your current visa, and you wish to successfully obtain a COA.
