Planning a wedding abroad starts with paperwork, and the Certificate of No Impediment sits at the top of every checklist. Foreign marriage authorities use it to confirm you are legally free to marry under UK law. Without an apostilled CNI, most will not proceed with the ceremony - regardless of how far advanced the other arrangements are.
Obtaining your CNI
A Certificate of No Impediment is issued by your local register office in England or Wales after a mandatory 28-day notice period. This notice period is set by law and cannot be shortened. You will need to attend the register office in person to give notice. Once the 28 days have passed and no objections have been raised, the registrar issues the certificate bearing their wet-ink signature.
Getting it apostilled
Because the CNI carries the registrar's wet-ink signature, it goes directly to the FCDO for apostille without needing solicitor or Notary Public certification first. The FCDO authenticates the registrar's wet-ink signature, seal or stamp - that is all the apostille confirms. The apostille is a physical paper certificate attached to the back of the original. CNIs are not eligible for the e-Apostille service - the paper route is the only option. Standard FCDO processing takes approximately ten working days at £45.
Watch the validity window
Most countries require the CNI to be less than three months old on the date of the ceremony. Italy and France are particularly strict on this point. Factor in the 28-day notice period, apostille processing time, and any translation or embassy attestation requirements, and the practical window for getting everything done is tighter than it first appears. Apply for the CNI no later than ten weeks before the wedding date.
Translation and embassy attestation
Many non-English-speaking countries require a sworn or a certifed translation of the apostilled CNI alongside the original. For countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention, embassy attestation in London is also required after the apostille. Both stages add time. Confirm the full requirements of your destination's marriage authority before starting.
Need it done quickly?
Express and next-day apostille services are available for urgent timelines. Our team manages the full process from FCDO submission through to embassy attestation and certified translation where required. Call us on +44 (0) 204 646 9300 and we will take care of everything.