Wedding Abroad RulesNot legal advice. Marriage rules change and local offices interpret them differently. Confirm every requirement with the civil registry or embassy before you book or pay. Disclaimer
Legal for visitors?Yes
Wait / residency1 night's stay
Government feeGBP 124 + GBP 186.50
Same-sexCivil union / partnership
7 of 10 facts read on an official page; 1 not confirmed. Badges show the source level of each fact.
Where couples get confused
Gibraltar needs just one night's stay - a classic quick-marriage spot for UK couples.
The rules
- Legal ceremony for visitorsOfficial ✓
- yesSpecial Licence lets residents and non-residents marry or form a civil partnership.
- Residency or waiting timeOfficial ✓
- Minimum 1-night stay immediately before or after the ceremony (proof due by the day before).
- Required documentsOfficial ✓
- Original passport/ID; original full birth certificate showing parents; marital-status documents (decree absolute etc.); proof of legal residence in home country; certified English translations.
- Apostille / translationOfficial ✓
- Apostille available on the Gibraltar certificate (GBP 37); foreign documents need certified English translation
- Blood or medical testSnippet / semi-official
- No (not listed)
- WitnessesOfficial ✓
- 2
- Who officiatesOfficial ✓
- Registrar
- Same-sex couplesNot confirmed
- Not confirmed, check with the registry or embassyOur unconfirmed note: Civil partnership available (guidance notes); same-sex marriage -
- Recognized in the US, Canada, UKSnippet / semi-official
- US: generally valid if valid where performed; confirm with your state Attorney General (State Dept). Canada: usually valid if legal where performed, no need to register (travel.gc.ca). UK: no general statement found on gov.uk - unverified.
- Government feeOfficial ✓
- Special Licence GBP 124 + Registry Office ceremony GBP 186.50 (outside venue after hours GBP 309.50); certificate GBP 37
⚠ Pitfalls and scams to watch
Ceremonies not held on Gibraltar public holidays; UK residents need a share code valid 6+ months.
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Sources
Quotes copied from official pages on 2026-10-21. Items marked as a snippet were seen in search results because the page blocked our checker.
- stayhttps://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/uploads/Department%20of%20Immigration%20&%20Home%20Affairs/Marriages%20&%20Civil%20Partnerships/CEREMONY_-_GUIDANCE-NOTES_-_August_2026__2_.pdf
A minimum one night stay is required by Law. The stay must be immediately prior to or, immediately after the ceremony
- feehttps://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/uploads/Department%20of%20Immigration%20&%20Home%20Affairs/Marriages%20&%20Civil%20Partnerships/CEREMONY_-_GUIDANCE-NOTES_-_August_2026__2_.pdf
Special Licence for Marriage/Civil Partnership £ 124.00 ... Ceremony at the Registry Office £ 186.50
All sources consulted
- https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/uploads/Department%20of%20Immigration%20&%20Home%20Affairs/Marriages%20&%20Civil%20Partnerships/CEREMONY_-_GUIDANCE-NOTES_-_August_2026__2_.pdf
- https://marriages.gibraltar.gov.gi/
- https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/living-abroad/marriage.html
- https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/documents/marriage-overseas
Last checked 2026-10-21. Spot something out of date? Email hello@weddingabroadrules.com.
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