Can Notary Publics Marry People?

Posted on 25th August 2025

by AJ Bennetts

Notary publics in England and Wales cannot perform marriage ceremonies or legally marry couples. This common misconception stems from confusion with American notaries, who in some US states have authority to solemnise marriages. UK notaries have different legal powers and responsibilities.
In England and Wales, only specific officials can legally conduct marriages: Church of England clergy, registered civil celebrants, registrars, and authorised religious leaders in registered buildings. The legal framework strictly regulates who can perform marriage ceremonies to ensure proper registration and legal validity.
However, notary publics play a crucial supporting role in marriage-related documentation. They frequently notarise documents required for overseas marriages, including certificates of no impediment, single status affidavits, birth certificates, divorce decrees, and death certificates of former spouses.
International marriages often require extensive notarised documentation. Foreign countries typically demand authenticated proof of eligibility to marry, identity verification, and evidence of any previous marriage dissolution. Our notary public services ensure these documents meet international requirements.
The confusion about marriage authority also extends to renewal ceremonies or blessing services. While notaries cannot perform legally binding ceremonies, couples sometimes mistakenly believe notarised marriage documents create legal unions. Only ceremonies conducted by authorised officials in approved venues create legal marriages.
For UK residents marrying abroad, notaries provide essential pre-wedding services: authenticating personal documents, preparing capacity to marry declarations, and ensuring all paperwork meets destination country requirements. This prevents devastating wedding day surprises due to documentation deficiencies.
Religious marriage complications also require notary assistance. Some religious ceremonies in England lack legal validity, necessitating separate civil registration. Notaries help authenticate religious marriage certificates for international recognition while ensuring couples understand their legal status.
Our professional notary public team regularly assists couples with international wedding preparations, providing clear guidance on legal requirements, document authentication, and apostille certification. We ensure your marriage documentation supports legal recognition both domestically and internationally.

Posted in Notarial Blog