Key Points
- The marriage or civil partnership must be legally recognised in the UK.
- Any previous relationship must have ended.
- The relationship must be genuine and continuing.
- You must both intend to live together permanently in the UK.
What the application may need to show
You must also have met each other in person.
- That the marriage or partnership is legally recognised
- That previous relationships have ended where relevant
- That the relationship is genuine and continuing
- That both partners intend to live together in the UK
- The history and ongoing nature of the relationship
Is your marriage recognised?
A marriage that took place overseas is generally recognised in the UK if it was valid under the law of the country where it happened and both of you were free to marry.
Religious ceremonies that were never registered, proxy marriages and marriages where an earlier divorce is in doubt need particular care.
Relationship evidence
Useful evidence varies a great deal depending on whether the couple:
- Lives together
- Has lived apart
- Recently married
- Has children
- Has been in a long-distance relationship
- Has limited joint financial documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need to have lived together before applying?
Not if you are married or in a civil partnership. You need to show a genuine relationship and an intention to live together in the UK. Unmarried partners rely on a relationship of at least two years.
Will the Home Office interview us?
Most applications are decided on the documents. Interviews are used in some cases, usually where the decision maker has questions about the relationship.
Official Sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. The rules and figures are set by the Home Office and can change.