Explanatory note

This Order is made under the Foreign Marriage Acts 1892 to 1947.

The Order, which supersedes the Foreign Marriage Order 1964 as amended by the Foreign Marriage (Amendment) Order 1967, lays down conditions under which marriages of British subjects may be solemnised by marriage officers under the Acts. It also makes provision for marriages of British subjects solemnised under the local law of foreign countries to be recorded in the United Kingdom. The principal changes from the previous Order are:—

1. (i)

   to provide that marriages may only be solemnised in a foreign country by marriage officers under the Acts where insufficient facilities exist under the local law; and

2. (ii)

   to discontinue the provisions relating to the personal attendance of consular officers at the marriages of British subjects solemnised under the local law of foreign countries.