Contact the relevant local authorities in Kenya to find out about local marriage laws, including what documents you’ll need.

^You should [get legal advice](/government/collections/list-of-lawyers) before making any plans.^

The UK doesn’t issue certificates of no impediment (CNI) for marriages in Commonwealth countries.

The British High Commission can provide a letter confirming this which you can give to the Kenyan authorities if you are normally resident in Kenya.

^If you’re not normally a resident in Kenya then contact the relevant local authorities in Kenya to find out about local marriage laws, including what documents you’ll need.^

The Kenyan authorities may also ask you to provide a sworn affidavit before a local lawyer, about your marital status. If you have been married before you will need to provide a divorce decree absolute to the Kenyan authorities.

If you have previously lived in the UK you may be asked for a no trace letter issued by the General Register Office.  A no trace letter costs £50 and can be obtained from the General Register Office by calling +44 (0)300 123 1837 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm). You should ask for a search to be made and quote the reference number "SEARCH 123".

*[CNI]:certificate of no impediment

Contact the relevant local authorities in Kenya to find out about local marriage laws, including what documents you’ll need.

^You should [get legal advice](/government/collections/list-of-lawyers) before making any plans.^

The UK doesn’t issue certificates of no impediment (CNI) for marriages in Commonwealth countries.

The British High Commission can provide a letter confirming this which you can give to the Kenyan authorities if you are normally resident in Kenya.

^If you’re not normally a resident in Kenya then contact the relevant local authorities in Kenya to find out about local marriage laws, including what documents you’ll need.^

The Kenyan authorities may also ask you to provide a sworn affidavit before a local lawyer, about your marital status. If you have been married before you will need to provide a divorce decree absolute to the Kenyan authorities.

If you have previously lived in the UK you may be asked for a ‘no trace letter’ issued by the General Register Office. ‘No trace letters’ cost £50 for each 10 year period from age 16 or when you entered the UK. Specify how many years you need the search to cover and quote reference ‘SEARCH 123’. It can take up to 3 weeks for a ‘no trace letter’ to be issued.

$C
**General Register Office**\\
Telephone: +44 (0)300 123 1837 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm Saturday)
$C

*[CNI]:certificate of no impediment

Update marriage abroad Kenya, Kenya user, British partner, opposite sex
Update marriage abroad Kenya, Kenya user, British partner, opposite sex

Location: Kenya
User: Kenya
Partner: British
Marriage type: Opposite sex

Updated information about the ‘no trace letter’ to make it clear that the price
applies to each 10 year period.
