MARRIAGE AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN RIYADH

1.  Marriages valid in English law may be performed by the British Consul in Riyadh if both parties to the marriage can prove that:

- one party is a British national;

- that they have for 7 clear days immediately prior to the
giving of formal notice of marriage to the Embassy had
their usual residence within the district of the
marriage officer;

- both parties are over the age of 16;

- they are not within prohibited degrees of relationship
to each other.

- they have legally dissolved any previous marriage to
which either was a party; and

- there is no other impediment to their proposed
marriage in Saudi Arabia.

NB:  Marriages between a British national and a non-British national are referred to London so a date can not be fixed for the marriage until confirmation has been received that the ceremony can be performed.  Marriages in the Embassy are not permitted if either party is a Muslim.  The Irish authorities do not recognise consular marriages and we are therefore not able to marry couples where one party is an Irish national.

2.  Documentary evidence required of each party is:

- a British passport as evidence of identity, national
status, and legal presence in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia;

- an original full birth certificate (showing the parents'
names);

- evidence in original of any previous marriage and its
termination.  Evidence of the marriage itself is not
required if it was terminated by one of the more usual
types of divorce decree granted by a court in the
United Kingdom.  Where a decree of divorce or nullity
was not given by a court, the marriage officer must be
be satisfied that the divorce or annulment would be
accepted as valid in English Law.

3.  Enquiries may be put to any consular officer, but formal notice of marriage can be given only to the Consul in Riyadh (or in his absence, the Acting Consul).  This requires personal attendance by one of the British national party to the proposed marriage, and they should first complete fully the enclosed sheets.
Arrangements for the marriage can be discussed at the same time.
4.  A formal notice of marriage will be posted in the Embassy for 21 clear days, giving any member of the public who knows of any impediment to the marriage the opportunity to lodge objection. If no objection is lodged, the proposed marriage may be performed at the official house of the marriage officer on any agreed day, within 3 months of the date on which notice was given.  

5.  The fees chargeable for a consular marriage are currently:

Posting Formal Notice of Marriage: See note 27 on the Consular Fee List for current fee

Performing marriage ceremony: See note 28 on the Consular Fee List for current fee

Each marriage certificate: See note 35 on the Consular Fee List for current fee

Where both parties are British each person will need to pay for the Formal Notice of Marriage  

NB:  A marriage solemnised by the Consul at Riyadh is as legally binding upon the parties as any marriage performed by an authorised Registrar in the United Kingdom.

FORMS FOR MARRIAGE AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN RIYADH

Consular Section
British Embassy
Riyadh