> Source: https://instantdeedpoll.co.uk/freedom-to-marry-declaration/ — last reviewed 22 August 2026. This Markdown mirror is generated at build time from the same content the page serves.

# Freedom to Marry Declaration for Weddings Abroad

Quick answer

A freedom to marry declaration is a statutory declaration confirming you are single and legally free to marry — the standard proof for weddings in Commonwealth destinations such as Cyprus and Malta, where the UK does not issue Certificates of No Impediment. You sign it before a solicitor or notary for the statutory £5 fee; our tailored PDF is £14.99.

Who should skip this

Skip InstantDeedPoll if you need a Certificate of No Impediment for Spain, Italy, Greece, France or another non-Commonwealth destination — that is a register-office notice (£46.50 from 6 April 2026), not a PDF we sell.

Checked by [Sarah Ellison](/author/sarah-ellison/), paralegal — last reviewed 22 August 2026

[Generate your declaration — £14.99](/start/statutory-declaration/?use-case=single-status)One-time payment. Yours forever. No subscription, ever.

![A couple's hands holding travel documents at a sunlit Mediterranean wedding venue]

## Why do I need a freedom to marry declaration?

Foreign marriage authorities need proof you are not already married. The UK’s Certificate of No Impediment system does not cover Commonwealth destinations — Cyprus, Malta, Mauritius, Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia and others — so there a statutory declaration before a solicitor or notary is the usual route. For non-Commonwealth destinations (Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Mexico) a CNI (£46.50 per person from 6 April 2026, 28-day notice at your register office) is generally required instead. Check our country guides: [Cyprus](/freedom-to-marry/cyprus/), [Greece](/freedom-to-marry/greece/), [Spain](/freedom-to-marry/spain/), [Italy](/freedom-to-marry/italy/), [Malta](/freedom-to-marry/malta/).

## What will my declaration say?

That you were born on a given date and are a British citizen; that you are single and have never been married — or that a previous marriage was dissolved by decree absolute or ended by death, with the date; that you intend to marry a named national of a given country at a given place on or about a date; and that there is no legal impediment to the marriage. The closing follows the 1835 Act exactly, and the jurat is left blank for your witness.

WARNING: it is a criminal offence under section 5 of the Perjury Act 1911, punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment, knowingly to make a false statutory declaration. Do not sign this document until you are in front of your witness.

## Do I need an apostille as well?

Usually yes. Stat decs used abroad generally need an FCDO apostille so the foreign authority recognises the witness’s signature — order it after the declaration is signed and witnessed, because it cannot be apostilled blank. Always confirm current requirements with your wedding planner or the local authority before booking anything.

## Where does the single status declaration fit in?

It is the same product — our [single status declaration](/single-status-declaration/) page covers the document in detail, including the divorced and widowed variants. Both pages generate the same tailored 1835-Act PDF for £14.99.

## Sources and further reading

- [Statutory Declarations Act 1835 (legislation.gov.uk)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Will4/5-6/62)
- [GOV.UK — getting married abroad](https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad)

Good to know

## Frequently asked questions

### Is a freedom to marry declaration the same as a single status declaration?+

Yes — different name, same document: a statutory declaration that you are single and free to marry, declared before a solicitor or notary under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. Some countries and wedding planners call it a freedom to marry declaration or affidavit of marital status.

### Which destinations accept it?+

Commonwealth destinations — Cyprus, Malta, Mauritius, Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia and others — because the UK does not issue Certificates of No Impediment for those countries. Non-Commonwealth destinations like Spain, Italy, Greece and France generally require a CNI instead.

### What does it cost in total?+

Our tailored PDF is £14.99, the statutory witnessing fee is fixed by law at £5, and you will usually need an FCDO apostille for use abroad. Total is typically under £60 before the apostille fee.

### How far in advance should I get it?+

Recipients set their own freshness rules, so confirm with your wedding planner or the local authority — many want a recent declaration. Ours is generated in minutes, so order once your date and venue are confirmed, then book your witnessing appointment.