How to get married or register a civil partnership in the United Kingdom

[asiansmiler]

Lady Les, it varies from which visa you would like to enter in the UK. You could marry in the Philippines and later you could apply for a spousal visa (settlement), whereas if u would have your marriage done in the UK, you could apply for a fiancee' visa, which both requires a lot of documentation. This whole community is more than willing to help out. Also, try to "search" about the requirements on the internet regarding which visa would you and your hubby are happy to deal with. Both requires faith, perseverance, organisation and patience.... So, Good Luck!!!

[CyRob]

Hi Everyone,

I contacted the marriages and civil parnerships authorities yesterday about registering
our intent to marry here in the UK and the problems of providing evidence of marriage
plans for Cyrene's visa.

This was the reply I received back from them, it might be of help or use to other members
that have not made any plans or bookings for their marriages yet.

Dear Mr Walker,

Thank you for your e-mail

In order for you to start pre-planning your wedding you will need to
provide evidence of a visa and on many occasions you will need to provide
evidence of pre-planning before you can get a visa which puts many couples
in a situation where they can not make any progress.

This office therefore can provide you with a letter which should be taken
to the relevant Embassy where you wish to obtain the fiancee visa and I
will send this to your address which you have kindly provided.

To answer your other query, you do not have to get married where you give
notice, as long as you and your partner give notice in a designated
register office you can marry anywhere that is legally recognised after
this without restrictions on your partners immigration control issue.

I trust this has answered your queries sufficiently. Please do not
hesitate to contact us again if you require further advice.

The letter will be sent this afternoon regarding pre-planning.

Kind regards,

Marriages and Civil Partnerships
General Register Office

[Bluebirdjones]

It's a Catch 22 situation.

Yes, you can "book" a room for the ceremony at the registry office, but
that's like booking a restaurant or cinema ticket..... there's no guarantee that you'll use it.
So, is this "proof" ? ...... you tell me !

The "Notice of Marriage" is the important thing, but
All civil and non-conformist marriage ceremonies must be preceded by civil preliminaries. This involves giving a Notice of Marriage to the Superintendent Registrar of the district where you live. Notice must be given by the prospective bride and groom in person. The Superintendent Registrar will ask you questions about your identity, age and freedom to marry. You will be asked to produce documents such as a birth certificate, passport or deed poll so that we can check your ages and the spelling of your names. If either of you have been married before you will need to produce a death certificate or divorce decree absolute to confirm your freedom to marry. If your divorce was granted outside the UK it may be necessary for us to submit it to the General Register Office for final verification. Other documents may be requested depending upon individual circumstances. Please bring original documents with you to the Register Office, with certified translations if applicable. Photocopies are not accepted.

In order to give notice of marriage both of you must have lived in a registration district in England or Wales for seven days immediately prior to the day on which you give notice and you must have a marriage ceremony booked. After giving notice, your application is displayed on the Register Office’s public notice board for 16 clear days, so you should allow for this length of time when planning your ceremony. For example if notice is given on 1 August the marriage can take place on or after 17 August. After this period two blue certificates, which allow you to be married, can be issued.

So, effectively, your future wife needs to be in the UK, with a fiancee visa in her passport in order to proceed with the "Notice of Marriage"

Regards

[CyRob]

So, effectively, your future wife needs to be in the UK, with a fiancee visa in her passport in order to proceed with the "Notice of Marriage"

Regards

Yes I am aware of this rule. Thats why it is virtually impossible to make any kind of marriage plans due to that fact... it is an unknown entity as to when or how long a visa will take to obtain... there is no point booking venues, photographers, cars, reception etc as one cannot guess a date.

I will await the letter and post here what information they have supplied and shared with me.

Thanks for your help, advice and reply... it's all helpful on the long journey to obtaining a fiancee visa and making plans to marry.

[bad-chicka]

Hi CyRob. I am currently in the same situation that u were in. Can you tell me how the letter from the registrar was received by the UKBA's Authorising Officer when you submitted your application?

Regards
Gavin

[Terpe]

Hi CyRob. I am currently in the same situation that u were in. Can you tell me how the letter from the registrar was received by the UKBA's Authorising Officer when you submitted your application?

Regards
Gavin

Hello Gavin, welcome to the forum.

Did you notice that the post by CyRob was dated 13 February 2009??

There's been a great deal of major changes to the immigration rules during the intervening 4 years.
May I very kindly suggest you read through this thread - All New Guide - How to apply for a Fiance Visa
Please do follow all the included UKBA links.

I hope it will provide a better understanding for you. If you have any specific questions you'll receive a good range of responses by starting your own thread.