Reader Updates - Important information regarding UK Marriages to Philippine Nationals.
Ladies and Gentleman following a visit today to the District and Superintendent registrar in my borough, I have the following to report, this may affect some of you who are contemplating:
1. Marriage in the United Kingdom to a Philippine National.
From the 1st February 2005, the following new rules, procedures are required before you can marry in the UK if the marriage is to a Non EEC National.
The Intention to marry cannot now be made at your local district registry, within the new rules, there will be a number of specialist centres being introduced around the UK, by regions, you will have to have your intention to marry registered through these special centres, they will then send the information to the Home Office - Immigration and Nationality Division, the intention to marry must be done via filling in a form from the specialist centre, there will be a fee of
£130.00
The Home Office must give the approval for the intention to marry and register the details at your local City or Provincial register office, before you are able to wait the statutory 21 days before a marriage licence can be issued.
This means now that those British Or EEC Nationals resident in the UK who have travelled to the Philippines and applied for a Visa for a Philippine National to have entry clearance to the United Kingdom, will only be granted a 6 month visa, as normal, but the marriage cannot be undertaken unless it has Home Office approval, this approval can only be achieved now through filing the appropriate form and paying the required fee.
Readers who apply after the 1st February 2005, will wish to note this new information, before deciding on whether they would wish to marry in the Philippines or Marry in the United Kingdom, the new legislation we understand is an attempt to curb the ever increasing number of bogus marriages between EEC UK nationals and African immigrants who use the 7 day residency clause to marry in the UK.
Details can be found at www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
Marriage in the Philippines
From 1st January 2005, all marriages which are to take place in the Philippines, still need to register their intention to marry with their local superintendent registrar, however, this is not a call in service any more, you still need to call at your local registry of births marriages and deaths, however, you will be asked to make an appointment to call back from 2-7 days, with the required paperwork, the notice of intended marriage must be posted as previously noted for 21 days in the office, the following details are required and are correct at date of this post.
The Fee to give a notice of marriage (pursuant to marriage to foreigners act 1906) is as follows: £30.00
An Appointment will be and the following is required on the appointment, the information will give the superintendent registrar the ability to determine whether a Certificate of No Impediment to marriage is warranted.
Your Birth Certificate
Your Passport
Your Driving Licence or Bank Statement showing your home address.
Divorce Decree Absolute. (If married before)
Your Fiancée’s Name, Address, Occupation and Date of Birth.
The location in the Philippines , City and Province where the marriage is to take
Place.
However no date is required.
After 21 days has elapsed providing there is no objection to the marriage, or anyone files a Caveat to the notice, (an objection) the registrar will issue a CNI, there is no validity on the CNI, but it is best to have it less than 3 months from the date of your
Intended marriage.
Notes: If anyone files a frivolous caveat to the notice of intention to marry, they are liable to prosecution for stating falsehoods, any frivolous intention to try and obstruct a person from obtaining a CNI will be liable to prosecution for supplying false information.
