From 25 February 2026, registrars across the North will accept UKVI share codes as proof that an individual is exempt from immigration control when giving notice of marriage or civil partnership. The statutory instrument was laid before Parliament today, 2 February 2026.

Formally titled the Sham Marriage and Civil Partnership (Referral of Proposed Marriages and Civil Partnerships) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, the measure was made on 29 January and signed by Home Office minister Mike Tapp. It updates the 2015 regulations that underpin the Immigration Act 2014 referral scheme.

That scheme requires register offices to refer proposed marriages and civil partnerships to the Home Office where at least one party is not exempt. The Home Office then decides whether to investigate to determine if a relationship may be a sham. Today’s amendment doesn’t change who is exempt; it changes how exempt people can prove it.

Instead of relying solely on specified documents, a person who is exempt from immigration control can present a valid share code with evidence of their date of birth. The code allows the superintendent registrar to view the individual’s online UK Visas and Immigration account and see a digital record confirming exemption.

If a code has expired or cannot be accessed, the registrar can ask the individual to generate a fresh code for the time period needed to complete checks. A letter from the Secretary of State confirming exemption remains an acceptable alternative route under the rules.

The amendments apply across the UK. Regulation 3 covers England and Wales; Regulation 4 extends the same digital process to Scotland and Northern Ireland. In practical terms, register offices from Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire to the North East and Cumbria will have the same approach.

For couples planning spring ceremonies, the takeaway is straightforward: if one partner is exempt from immigration control, bring proof of date of birth and a share code on the day you give notice. Be ready to generate a new code if asked by the superintendent registrar so the check can be completed there and then.

The Home Office’s explanatory note says no significant impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is expected. For northern register offices dealing with full diaries, a digital check at the counter should reduce back-and-forth and speed up appointments once the change starts on 25 February.