Religious marriages
If you married abroad in a civil ceremony which was then followed by a religious ceremony, it will usually be the civil ceremony which has legal effect. However, for example, an Islamic marriage in a mosque will be recognised as valid if the mosque was registered for conducting marriages. Similar considerations apply to marriages in other religions. For further information, visit the website of the Registrar of Marriages (www.gro.gov.uk).
Religious divorces
If you have been married according to a particular religious tradition and your husband/wife is refusing to give you a religious divorce (for example, a Jewish Get), the court in England has power to prevent the final civil divorce decree until the religious divorce has been finalised.
Whether a religious divorce will be recognised varies according to local law. However, a religious divorce in the United Kingdom (for example by the Sharia Council or the Beth Din) will not be recognised in England. A decree of divorce from an English court is required. On the other hand, if the religious divorce was obtained abroad, it will generally be recognised if it was obtained by judicial or other proceedings with notice to the other party. Religious divorces obtained other than by proceedings are less likely to be recognised.