local district registry

[Ady]

Hi Pat,

In our case, I was not able to get a provisional booking.

I was told by 2 superintendents in my region that a booking was not possible until my fiancee has been in the UK for 8 days. The ECO will be aware of this... their guidance notes state

"The Entry Clearance Office (ECO) needs to be satisfied that it is intended that a marriage in the UK will take place. Any evidence that may be available that wedding arrangements are in hand may help in this respect. Failing that, the ECO can reasonably expect you to have made some tentative plans for the wedding. The ECO will, however, be aware from our published procedures that "the law relating to marriage in England and Wales does not allow for any arrangements to be made with a Registrar until the foreign national has arrived in the UK"

In our case, I have made a provisional booking for a wedding reception, with a given date. I also stated in the cover note that I had spoken to superintendents who advised me that provisional bookings are not possible. Given the above, I am now of the opinion that ECO's could look sceptically upon any such documentation anyhow (after all, the laws of the land state this is not possible). I am not dismissing what others have done, because it still serves the purpose that wedding arrangements are in hand. Trying to get this document delayed us somewhat, and in the end we had to go without it. I just hope that the wedding reception booking will suffice.

Good luck with the application.

[PAT]

Hi Pat,

In our case, I was not able to get a provisional booking.

I was told by 2 superintendents in my region that a booking was not possible until my fiancee has been in the UK for 8 days. The ECO will be aware of this... their guidance notes state

"The Entry Clearance Office (ECO) needs to be satisfied that it is intended that a marriage in the UK will take place. Any evidence that may be available that wedding arrangements are in hand may help in this respect. Failing that, the ECO can reasonably expect you to have made some tentative plans for the wedding. The ECO will, however, be aware from our published procedures that "the law relating to marriage in England and Wales does not allow for any arrangements to be made with a Registrar until the foreign national has arrived in the UK"

In our case, I have made a provisional booking for a wedding reception, with a given date. I also stated in the cover note that I had spoken to superintendents who advised me that provisional bookings are not possible. Given the above, I am now of the opinion that ECO's could look sceptically upon any such documentation anyhow (after all, the laws of the land state this is not possible). I am not dismissing what others have done, because it still serves the purpose that wedding arrangements are in hand. Trying to get this document delayed us somewhat, and in the end we had to go without it. I just hope that the wedding reception booking will suffice.

Good luck with the application.

Thank you so much for sharing that matter Ady, like you we will probably do what you did. " Booked what we can book" for additional proof that we're really intend to marry with in 6 months and are committed to live together as husband and wife. I always appreciated your responses in my query and so with other members here.

[IainBusby]

Hi Pat,

In our case, I was not able to get a provisional booking.

I was told by 2 superintendents in my region that a booking was not possible until my fiancee has been in the UK for 8 days. The ECO will be aware of this... their guidance notes state

"The Entry Clearance Office (ECO) needs to be satisfied that it is intended that a marriage in the UK will take place. Any evidence that may be available that wedding arrangements are in hand may help in this respect. Failing that, the ECO can reasonably expect you to have made some tentative plans for the wedding. The ECO will, however, be aware from our published procedures that "the law relating to marriage in England and Wales does not allow for any arrangements to be made with a Registrar until the foreign national has arrived in the UK"

In our case, I have made a provisional booking for a wedding reception, with a given date. I also stated in the cover note that I had spoken to superintendents who advised me that provisional bookings are not possible. Given the above, I am now of the opinion that ECO's could look sceptically upon any such documentation anyhow (after all, the laws of the land state this is not possible). I am not dismissing what others have done, because it still serves the purpose that wedding arrangements are in hand. Trying to get this document delayed us somewhat, and in the end we had to go without it. I just hope that the wedding reception booking will suffice.

Good luck with the application.

It seems there is no consistency from one county to another when dealing with requests for provisional bookings. I think that if they refuse to make a provisional booking you should request that they put that in writing so that you could use that as evidence along with provisional booking for the reception.
Iain.

[Ady]

Iain,

I agree with that, and requested that it was shown in writing. What I was told was that they (the Border Agency) know the rules - and both superintendents refused to give me anything. In fact, the one refused to talk to me at all, leaving her receptionist to deal with it by running to and fro.

I have no doubt there are friendlier, more accommodating people out there that have helped others in this situation. Going on the ECO guidance notes, it would be unreasonable to be rejected on this ground in my opinion. I have stated it in our covering letter that we contacted registry offices, and I made a point of outlining the reason why this was not achieved.

[PAT]

It seems there is no consistency from one county to another when dealing with requests for provisional bookings. I think that if they refuse to make a provisional booking you should request that they put that in writing so that you could use that as evidence along with provisional booking for the reception.
Iain.

I think thats good idea Ianbusby thank you so much for that i will send your reply to my fiance.