Will a New York marriage license work in England?

Question

My fiancee and I plan on getting married in New York. She's from England and I'm American. Will a New York marriage license be valid in England or will we have to apply again in the UK?

Answer 1

Once you are married legally in the state or country that you obtain the license in, that marriage is legal in any state or country. You should not have to re-apply for a marriage license and get married again in England.

Answer 2

Do you mean a licence to get married or a certificate that you have been married?

If you want to get married in New York, you need to get a licence to get married there from the appropriate authorities. If you want to get married in England, you need a licence from the authorities there.

However, if you want to get married in New York and then want to have another religious service or ceremony in England, the English event will not have any legal standing and you do not need a licence. Indeed, you would not be able to get one because only unmarried people are granted wedding licences and you and your wife would not meet that criteria!

If you want to do this, I suggest you talk to whoever you want to officiate at the British service about what you plan to do.

If you're asking if your marriage in New York will be recognised legally in Britain or if you'll need to get married there too, then the answer is that you will be considered married in Britain if you've been married in the USA.

Answer 3

NO. You must obtain a license from the country/state/county in which you are getting married.  In the US a New York license wouldn't work in Ohio.  In Ohio you must obtain a license from the county in which you reside.  Different states have different laws.  As do different countries.

HOWEVER, if you get married in the states then the marriage should be valid in England.  License vs. Certificate.  Permission vs. Defacto.  Two different things, my friend.