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The Home Office referral scheme

Registration officials are required to refer marriage and civil partnership notices to the Home Office who will investigate your relationship If one or both of the parties are::

  • EEA or Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status
  • non-EEA nationals who do not provide specified evidence they have:
    • settled status in the UK (Indefinite Leave to Enter or Remain)
    • an EU law right of permanent residence in the UK
    • a marriage or civil partnership visa
    • exemption from immigration control (eg with the right of abode in the UK)

The Home Office may decide to extend the 29 day notice period to 71 days before authorities to marry or form a civil partnership can be issued to give them sufficient time to investigate. They may prevent the union where a sham marriage or civil partnership is suspected.

If you are subject to the referral scheme, there will be an additional Home Office statutory referral fee of £30 on top of the £42 fee for each person to give notice.