Planning to get married abroad? You’ll likely need a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI).
This official document proves you’re legally free to marry, which is required by most countries outside the Commonwealth.
Getting a CNI involves more than just filling out a form. There’s a mandatory 28-day waiting period, specific eligibility requirements, and often additional steps, like apostille authentication. The total process can take 6-8 weeks from start to finish.
Many couples underestimate the time needed for this document. With wedding dates set and venues booked, discovering you need a CNI can create serious stress. Understanding the process early helps you plan properly and avoid last-minute complications.
What is a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI)?
A certificate of no impediment is an official document from your local registry office. It confirms there are no legal barriers preventing you from marrying abroad. Think of it as government verification that you’re free to marry under UK law.
The CNI proves several key points:
Registry offices issue the Certificate of No Impediment in the UK after you complete their application process. The document gets an official signature and stamp to make it legally valid. However, most destination countries require apostille authentication before accepting your certificate.
If you’re planning a marriage within the next 2-3 months, you should place your apostille order right now after getting the CNI. With wedding dates approaching fast, you can’t afford delays in the legalisation process.
Note: Some countries call this document by different names. You might see it referred to as a Certificate of Nulla Osta (in Italy), Certificate of Freedom to Marry (in Ireland), or No Objection Certificate. But they all serve the same purpose.
The certificate doesn’t guarantee that your marriage will be recognised as valid abroad. Each country has its own marriage laws and requirements.
However, without a CNI, many countries will not allow the ceremony to proceed.
When do you need a Certificate of No Impediment?
Most non-Commonwealth countries require a CNI for marriages involving UK citizens. This includes popular wedding destinations across Europe, such as Spain, Italy, Greece, France, and Germany.
You’ll need a Certificate of No Impediment for:
The requirement applies regardless of who you’re marrying. Whether your partner is British, from the destination country, or from somewhere else entirely, you’ll still need your CNI.
Some countries also require a CNI for immigration purposes. You might need it for:
Important exceptions exist. Commonwealth countries, such as Australia, Canada, and South Africa, do not accept UK CNI certificates; they have their own rules for British citizens getting married there.
Who can apply for a Certificate of No Impediment?
You have to be a British citizen to get a CNI from UK registry offices — no way around this rule. (If you’re not British but live in the UK, you’ll need to get different paperwork instead.)
Age requirements:
Residency rules:
Previous marriage status affects your application:
Required documents include:
Non-UK citizens living in Britain cannot get a CNI UK from the registry offices. Instead, they may be eligible for a Letter of No Trace from the General Register Office. This serves a similar purpose but follows different procedures.
How to get a Certificate of No Impediment
You cannot apply for a CNI in the UK online. The process requires in-person attendance at your local registry office.
Here’s how it works:
The registry office cannot expedite the 28-day waiting period. Commercial services claiming faster CNI processing are referring to other parts of the document legalisation process, for example, getting an apostille for a certificate of no impediment, not the initial certificate issuance.
Getting a CNI from British embassies abroad
If you’re a UK citizen living abroad, you’ll need to use your local British embassy or consulate instead.
The exact process varies depending on where you are, but it typically goes like this:
Remember that each British embassy may have slightly different requirements and timelines, so check with your specific location for exact procedures.
CNI certificate costs and processing time
The cost and timeline for obtaining your CNI are standardised across the UK, though fees may vary slightly between local authorities.
| Item | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| CNI application | £42 (varies by local authority) | 28-29 days total (mandatory waiting period that can’t be shortened) |
When it comes to payment, most registry offices accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards. Some offices also accept bank transfers, though cheques have limited acceptance.
Payment is required at the time of application, so come prepared with your preferred payment method.
Beyond the basic CNI fee, you’ll likely need additional services to make your certificate valid for international use.
These costs can add up quickly, so factor them into your wedding budget.
| Service | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille authentication | £45-£100 | Up to 15 working days |
| Translation services | £30-£51 per page (sworn translation costs an extra £9-£15.30 per page) | Varies by provider (urgent 12-24 hours services cost an extra £15-£30) |
| Commercial expedited apostille at London Apostille Services Ltd | £87-£97 | Express (Next day) to standard (3-4 days) |
| Embassy attestation (non-Hague countries) | £30-£100+ | 1-2 weeks additional |
Proper planning becomes crucial when you consider these extended timelines. Apply 3-4 months before your wedding date to account for apostille processing time, potential translation requirements, and possible delays or document rejections.
Some registry offices charge extra if you want them to post your CNI to you, but this doesn’t make the process any faster. The 28-day waiting period is set in law – you can’t pay extra to skip it.
Legalisation and apostille of a Certificate of No Impediment
As we mentioned earlier, your CNI needs apostille authentication for use abroad. Foreign authorities cannot verify UK registry office signatures and stamps independently. The apostille confirms the document’s authenticity.
Hague Convention countries (125+ countries, including all EU nations, the USA, Australia, and Japan) accept apostilled documents without further authentication. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office handles apostille services.
Non-Hague Convention countries, like the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Egypt, require embassy attestation after an apostille. This creates a two-step authentication process.
UK Government apostille process (21 days):
- 1
Submit CNI to FCDO online via gov.uk/get-document-legalised
- 2
Pay a £45 fee per document (plus courier or postage costs)
- 3
Wait up to 15-21 working days for processing
- 4
Receive an apostilled document by post
Processing times:
Important limitation: CNI cannot be processed as an e-apostille. Only a paper-based apostille service is available for marriage certificates, which means physical document handling is required.
CNI apostille services through London Apostille Services Ltd (1 day)
Our FCDO-registered team specialises in CNI authentication for international marriages. We understand wedding deadlines and offer reliable service options to match your timeline.
Service options and pricing:
What’s included:
Delivery and collection options:
Embassy attestation for non-Hague Convention countries requires additional time and cost. We coordinate this process through our embassy network, typically adding 1-2 weeks to the overall timeline.
Ready to get your CNI apostilled? Skip the government delays and let our team handle everything for you. Get your CNI apostilled today.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Here are the most common questions about Certificates of No Impediment:
Conclusion
Getting your CNI sorted doesn’t have to add stress to wedding planning. Most couples don’t realise how long the process takes until they’re already behind schedule.
At London Apostille Services Ltd, we’ve helped couples navigate CNI authentication over our 15+ years of experience. Our FCDO-registered team understands wedding deadlines and offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
From next-day apostille services to embassy attestation, we handle the entire legalisation process while you focus on your special day. Get your personalised quote today.
