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Confirm you’re free to get married in South Korea

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Check eligibility and the documents you need

Check the laws in South Korea to make sure you can get married. Your marriage will be recognised in the UK if:

  • you follow the correct process according to the law in South Korea
  • it would be allowed under UK law

The person conducting your ceremony or relevant local authority can help you understand the processes you need to follow to get married, including what documents you’ll need.

Marital status affirmation

To get a marital status affirmation, British nationals must apply for one online and attend an appointment at the British Embassy Seoul. See how to get a marital status affirmation for details.

Marital status affidavit

If you’ve been told you need a marital status affidavit, follow the same application process as for an affirmation. An affidavit is the same as an affirmation except you swear a religious oath, so you must select ‘religious’ when asked which type of declaration you want to make. Once your application is complete, the embassy or consulate will prepare a marital status affidavit for you to check and sign at your appointment.

You may need other documents to get married in South Korea. You may also need to get some documents legalised (certified with a stamped official certificate called an apostille) or translated into the local language by a qualified translator. Check with the person conducting your ceremony or relevant local authority.

Marriage registration

Marriages that take place abroad according to another country’s law are not added to UK records. Your marriage will be registered in South Korea instead. The person conducting your ceremony can tell you how to get a marriage certificate. You will not be able to register at or get a certificate from a UK register office, or British embassy or consulate. Keep your marriage certificate as evidence of your marriage. You may want to get it translated, especially if you want to use it outside South Korea. Find a qualified translator.

If your partner is a British national

They should check what documentation they need with the person conducting your ceremony or relevant local authority and apply online themselves.

If your partner is not a British national or a national of South Korea

Your partner should contact their national embassy to find out what documentation they need to get married in South Korea.