For the purposes of this Act an overseas relationship is a relationship which—
is either a specified relationship or a relationship which meets the general conditions, and
is registered (whether before or after the passing of this Act) with a responsible authority in a country or territory outside the United Kingdom, by two people—
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
neither of whom is already a civil partner or lawfully married.
But, for the purposes of the application of this Act to England and Wales or to Northern Ireland, marriage is not an overseas relationship.
In this Chapter, “the relevant law” means the law of the country or territory where the relationship is registered (including its rules of private international law).