Originally posted by mupsuit@Jan 25 2006, 05:22 PM
I had the same question when I returned to the UK with my Filipina bride
Your marriage is legal and recognised in UK law
You need take no further action
Your next step is to obtain ILR for your wife - two years after her arrival date
When she has been here for 3 years she can (should Elsa so wish) apply for British Nationality and obtain a UK passport
Sorry I cant give you any web site to refer to
Rob, your marriage is Legal in the UK, its just not necessary to inform the UK authorities about it, but under international law, the marriage is acceptable, you can deposit your marriage cert with UK Authorities, but of what benefit is that ? I can't see a need to do that, the British Embassy were quite happy to release Elsa's visa, the interesting thing to note here is this:
"When I collected my Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage in Philippines" way way back, it says this
" The marriage may not be recognized under the Laws of England and Wales"
So I queried this with the Vice Consul and told him that the LCM is ambiguous, since it says one thing and then infers another "
They said, its ok, its legal, but then I said, "But it says it may not be " and they said
"Its ok, its always typed out like that"
I rest my case.
to be or not to be that is the question !!
