FOI Ref: FOI/2021/2782
You asked
I submit the following requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the relevant Act (and amendments) for a 'Yes', 'No' or the appropriate response:
From 1 July 2013 to date has the ONS received data from a USA department or any other relevant office for use in the UK regarding UK nationals that are marrying or have married US citizens?
From 1 July 2013 to date has the ONS processed any marriage data for use in the UK regarding UK nationals that are marrying or have married US citizens?
Does the ONS process any marriage data regarding UK nationals that are marrying or have married US citizens for use in the UK?
What is the source of marriage data for the ONS of UK nationals living home or in the US?
We said
Thank you for your enquiry.
We are responsible for the production of life event statistics in England and Wales. National Records of Scotland (NRS) and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) publish regular marriage statistics for their own countries, which are comparable with the Office for National Statistics figures.
We do not hold any data from departments within the United States of America (USA).
Our marriage statistics are derived from information recorded when marriages are registered as part of civil registration with the General Registry Office. Marriage statistics for England and Wales are based on the details collected when marriages are solemnised from information recorded in the marriage register.
The marriage register does not contain information on ethnicity, nationality, or country of birth. Information on nationality is collected by Registrars on marriage notice forms but we do not have access to this data.
We do not process marriage data, we merely receive notification of the marriage and report the following statistics
- Sex
- Age
- Type of marriage
- Period of occurrence
- Previous marital status and cohabitation status
- Type of ceremony (civil or religious)
- Religious denomination
- Day and date of occurrence
- Area of occurrence
Marriages to residents of England and Wales that took place abroad are not included, while marriages that took place in England and Wales to non-residents are included. Therefore, we would report statistics on marriages that have occurred in England and Wales between UK citizens and US citizens, but we are unable to provide a breakdown of marriages or civil partnerships by nationality.
Further information on ONS Marriage statistics can be found in the Marriages in England and Wales QMI or please contact Health.Data@ons.gov.uk if you require any further assistance.