Check eligibility and the documents you need
Check the laws in Andorra to make sure you can get married. There may be certain local conditions you have to meet. The documents you’ll need depend on where you live and the type of ceremony you want to have.
Your marriage or civil partnership will be recognised in the UK if:
Marital status certificate
Marriage or civil partnership
If you live in Andorra or Spain you need a marital status certificate (MSC) to get married or register a same-sex civil partnership in Andorra.
Cohabitation arrangement
If you live in Andorra, you need a marital status certificate (MSC) to register a cohabitation arrangement (unió estable de parella) in Andorra. You can only do this if you live in Andorra.
How to apply for a marital status certificate
- Download a marriage or civil partnership MSC or cohabitation arrangement MSC application pack.
- Complete the form and send it with copies of supporting documents by email or post to the British Consulate General in Barcelona.
- Attend an appointment at the British Consulate General in Barcelona – you’ll be contacted to arrange this when your application is received. At the appointment, you’ll need to bring:
- the originals of the documents you sent with your application
- a credit or debit card to pay for your MSC – £50 for the declaration of marital status and £50 for issuing the certificate
Certificate of no impediment
If you live in the UK you need a certificate of no impediment (CNI) to get married or register a civil partnership in Andorra. A CNI is a legal document that states that no barriers (called impediments) to your marriage have been shown to exist.
To get a CNI, book an appointment at a UK register office to give notice. Tell them you need a CNI to get married abroad when you book your appointment.
Your UK CNI should be accepted in Andorra. Check with the person conducting your ceremony how long before your ceremony your CNI must be issued.
As well as a CNI, you may need other documents to get married in Andorra. 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 venue.
If you’ve travelled to Andorra without a UK CNI
Ask the person conducting your ceremony or relevant local authority what you should do.
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 Andorra instead and you’ll be given a marriage certificate following your ceremony. 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 Andorra. Find a qualified translator.
If your partner is a British national
If your partner is a British national, they should make their own application for a marital status certificate or certificate of no impediment.
If your partner is not a British national or a national of Andorra
Your partner should contact their national embassy to find out what documentation someone of their nationality needs to get married or register a civil partnership in Andorra.
If you do not live in Andorra, Spain or the UK
There are no British consular facilities in Andorra to register a marriage or get legal documents to prove you’re eligible to marry or register a civil partnership.
Check with your national embassy to find out how to get a certificate of no impediment. If they cannot issue one, check what you should do with the person conducting your ceremony or the relevant authorities in Andorra. You may need to apply for a UK CNI or a marital status certificate.
