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Somali marriage in the UK

In England and Wales a nikah on its own does not create a legal marriage. A couple who have had only a religious ceremony are treated by the law as unmarried, which means neither of them has the financial protections that apply on divorce. To be legally married you must give notice at your local register office and marry either there, at an approved venue, or in a registered religious building with an authorised person present.

How to be legally married in the UK

  1. 1Give notice in person at your local register office. You sign a legal statement of intent and name the venue where the ceremony will happen.
  2. 2Check whether your mosque is a registered building with an authorised person. If it is, the nikah held there can be the legal marriage. If it is not, the nikah is a religious ceremony only.
  3. 3If the mosque is not registered, book a separate civil ceremony. Many couples do the register office and the nikah on the same day.
  4. 4The ceremony needs both of you, two witnesses and the person conducting it -- plus whoever is registering the marriage, if that is someone else.

Somali communities in the UK

11 cities listed.

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