I don't want to destroy further Leeds Registry Office's Reputation, yet I can't help but write a BITTER REVIEW. I have been aware of the "bogus" which happened in Leeds where UKBA have exposed "sham marriages" through Ian (also a forum member). But my case doesn't follow that path. I think, it is "JUST" a matter of a "SMALL INEFFICIENCY" which had costed us (or me -- whoever is stressed) "LOADS OF WORRIES AND STRESS".
This BITTER REVIEW is all about spending weeks locating where in HELL did they send our LICENSE TO MARRY.
We had our appointment to give Notice to Marry on the 16th of July. And as they have said during the appointment, they are going to "post" the License to Marry on the 16th day. By "posting" they did not discuss where are they going to post it so we thought, it would be posted to our address. So on the 16th day, we were expecting something inside our mail box but THERE WAS NOTHING but we thought, we'd give a couple of days.
We received the marriage brochure thing from Lancashire Registry Office (because we are getting married in Lytham) which says we are to collect the LICENSE TO MARRY at Calderdale Registry Office (because we live in Calderdale area).
I called Calderdale Registry Office first and asked if they have the copy of our License to Marry from Leeds (better than going there straight and get nothing). CRO told me that it wasn't there and wasn't supposed to be there because afterall, they have nothing to do with the wedding because we are getting married outside Calderdale's area.
So, to be out of the confusion, I phoned Leeds Registry Office asking them if by "15 days, will it include Saturday and Sunday" and the staff said "yes", and since we have given notice to marry on the 16th, it should have been posted. So I asked him "WHERE WILL THE LICENSE TO MARRY BE COLLECTED? IN CALDERDALE REGISTRY OFFICE OR IN LANCASHIRE REGISTRY OFFICE" I told him we are getting married in Lytham already. He said "IN CALDERDALE".
Expect me to call Calderdale Registry Office again so we can collect the LTM. I had the same answer. It wasn't there and wasn't supposed to be there.
Yeah, I called Leeds RO again the same day (Monday this week). I told them what CRO told me. And asked them if it is possible to trace where they sent it. The staff didn't know the answer (I don't know why -- will their database not tell them where was it mailed?) so she got my phone number and details and promised to call me when they know the answer to my query.
Yes, they called me with a very promising answer. Record says, it was sent in Fleetwood and given me the number to call in order to ask/arrange to have someone collect it for us. I thought that was the END...BUT I WAS WRONG.
I called the number Leeds Registry Office gave me (which turned out to be BLACKPOOL REGISTRY OFFICE -) -- nobody was there to answer so I left my name, phone number, and nature of enquiry and I should expect they will be getting back to me as soon as they can.
"As soon as they can" wasn't good enough so I called Blackpool Registry Office the next day (because I have been waiting all day-- and there was no return call) and I was able to speak to them. BUT THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE IT, CHECKED THEIR FILES, DOUBLE CHECKED. AND SAID IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE BECAUSE YOU ARE GETTING MARRIED IN LYTHAM (I hope you understand -- but I am sick of hearing these words!)
Blackpool Registry Office, trying to be "helpful" gave me Lytham Registry Office's phone number (which is Lancashire Registry Office's Central Number 0845 -- expect me to spend money on it). I called the number and the operator says nobody was there to take my call. Left my name, phone number again.. and again, expected a call from them THAT DAY.
I did not receive any return call from Lytham RO so I called them again the next day. And it was the same story.
Tearful, I told my fiance that "I am not calling any Registry Office anymore because I am afraid I will be shouting to them. So he had to take over.
He called Leeds Registry Office again, and told them what we have done and how upset I am (wasting my time, and squeezing my brain to speak straight English). The first staff he talked to did not know how to deal with the situation (by the accent, she wasn't English) So SHE CUT HIM OFF THE PHONE. My fiance called again and it was a different staff who took the call. Told everything again and again -- but the bottomline WAS --- WE WANT TO KNOW WHERE ARE WE COLLECTING THE LICENSE TO MARRY as WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO FOOL AROUND CALLING DIFFERENT NUMBERS. The staff said they will be getting back to us as soon as they find out where it is...
Yes, they called us again.. and GUESS WHAT? THEY ARE TOO CONFIDENT THAT IT WAS SENT IN BLACKPOOL.. Given MY fiance the number (which i already have called)...
And the search for the LICENSE TO MARRY IS STILL ON...AS OF THE MOMENT, IT REMAINS A MYSTERY.
P.S. As I said, I am not doing any call so I e-mailed Lytham Registry Office if they have the License to Marry -- and they are forwarding the enquiry to Lancashire Registry Office. Now, i hope they have it (even Leeds registry Office did not recommend to us to look for it there)
I hope this fuss will not happen to anyone in the forum because it's dang stressful.
