Legality of Marriage not registered in the UK

[Bubbles12]

Hi there,

Can somebody please advise me whether I actually need to get divorced if my marriage has not been registered here in the UK?

My husband and I married in Mexico and our certificate is in Spanish. We have not had the marriage registered in the UK. I didn't change my surname and we have not changed our marital status on any of our accounts etc.

My husband and I have recently split up and I would like to know if we actually need to go through the whole divorce process or whether we can just rip the certificate up and pretend the marriage never happened?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Caspar]

Re: Legality of Marriage not registered in the UK

Does this help at all?



Marriage Certificate

Once the civil ceremony has been performed you will need to obtain a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate (Acta de Matrimonio). You should then have the certificate “apostilled” whilst in Mexico so that your marriage is legally recognised on your return to the UK. The local registry office in Mexico or your wedding planner (if applicable) can offer you further advice on how to proceed.
Once you have obtained your certified Marriage Certificate you will need to have it translated into English. Visit the British Embassy in Mexico City and have the certificate translated. Whilst you are there you can request the certificate then be forwarded by the British Consular to the General Register Office in the UK where it can be deposited

I would assume if you have not done this you are not recognised as being legally married in the UK. HOWEVER that would not mean either of you could just go ahead and marry again in this country as you are not free to do so - you are still legally married in Mexico so would be committing bigamy.