Am I required to know the solicitor?

[eddiek]

Hey gang,

I'm about to apply for a certificate of freedom to marry at the Irish Embassy in London.

Since I cannot get through to the Embassy either by phone or email, I was hoping that some of you guys could help me understand the following:

As part of the application for the certificate of marriage, I need to get a witness's signature on the application form.

On the Embassy's website, I get the impression that a witness can be a solicitor you have never met - can someone confirm that this is the case from your understanding?

(Background: As I am new to the UK, I am not known to any solicitor in this country, hence why finding a solicitor who knows me, may pose as a problem, unless I return to my home town in Ireland?)

Here's the link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0HSItBs02z1N0NaWDJrcEJ4VXc/edit?usp=sharing


Thanks for the help guys,
Ed

[mike1]

Hey gang,

I'm about to apply for a certificate of freedom to marry at the Irish Embassy in London.

Since I cannot get through to the Embassy either by phone or email, I was hoping that some of you guys could help me understand the following:

As part of the application for the certificate of marriage, I need to get a witness's signature on the application form.

On the Embassy's website, I get the impression that a witness can be a solicitor you have never met - can someone confirm that this is the case from your understanding?

(Background: As I am new to the UK, I am not known to any solicitor in this country, hence why finding a solicitor who knows me, may pose as a problem, unless I return to my home town in Ireland?)

Here's the link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0HSItBs02z1N0NaWDJrcEJ4VXc/edit?usp=sharing


Thanks for the help guys,
Ed

Hi Ed,
I am surprised you have had trouble getting through to the Irish Embassy, as I've had no problem on previous ocassions, but maybe they have got worse :xxgrinning--00xx3:

londonvisaoffice@dfa.ie /Tel - 02072352171

[eddiek]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the info.

I will give them a call next week when Katherine is back in the office, she's on hols at the moment.

There is a fella from Citizenship covering her at the minute, and he said it's best to ask Katherine since she's obviously the best versed on topics relating to marriages abroad.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.