Married in Bangkok, register wedding in UK.

[baneko]

I want to register my wedding in the UK. Having my wedding cert currently translated into english. Wife Thai and I'm Scottish. Living in Thailand currently and working in Africa so not going back for a while. Mother and father in the UK. What do I do? Idiots guige please.

[Mario2008]

Step 1.

Have the wedding certificate translated into English

Step 2

Have the wedding certificate and translation legalised by the Thai Foreign Ministry, Consular Department.

Step 3.

Have the documents certified by the British Embassy.

You can now use the document as proof of your marriage and if you so wish register the marriage in the UK.

[wooloomooloo]

Seems like a lot of aggravation for little benefit, baneko.

Having your marriage certificate translated and notarised is a good idea in case of future visa applications by your wife to the UK.

Other than that, is there a particular reason? Not a trick question, either.

[ubonjoe]

It is not something you have to do. Your marriage is recognized in the UK.

At one time it was a matter of sending a translated copy of your marriage certificate to the registrars office but I cannot find the info on the embassy or UK gov websites now. Perhaps they have stopped doing it.

See: https://www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages/register-offices

[baneko]

Seems like a lot of aggravation for little benefit, baneko.

Having your marriage certificate translated and notarised is a good idea in case of future visa applications by your wife to the UK.

Other than that, is there a particular reason? Not a trick question, either.

At some point we may head back to the UK. Not for a while hopefully but you never know whats round the corner. Family passing away or instability here. I just want her visa to be easy and hastle free.

Its being translated just now to english so theres I may as well carry on the process.

[baneko]

It is not something you have to do. Your marriage is recognized in the UK.

At one time it was a matter of sending a translated copy of your marriage certificate to the registrars office but I cannot find the info on the embassy or UK gov websites now. Perhaps they have stopped doing it.

See: https://www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages/register-offices

Thanks ubon.

[baneko]

Step 1.

Have the wedding certificate translated into English

Step 2

Have the wedding certificate and translation legalised by the Thai Foreign Ministry, Consular Department.

Step 3.

Have the documents certified by the British Embassy.

You can now use the document as proof of your marriage and if you so wish register the marriage in the UK.

Certified in the UK embassy in BKK is a requirement?

[The Fat Controller]

Just a translation was enough for my wife's visitor visa, never went to the MFA or British Embassy.

My company pension scheme wanted a translation of both the wedding certificate and her birth certificate

[Mario2008]

Step 1.

Have the wedding certificate translated into English

Step 2

Have the wedding certificate and translation legalised by the Thai Foreign Ministry, Consular Department.

Step 3.

Have the documents certified by the British Embassy.

You can now use the document as proof of your marriage and if you so wish register the marriage in the UK.

Certified in the UK embassy in BKK is a requirement?

Yes, that confirms the legalisation by the Thai government is genuine.

[wooloomooloo]

Certified in the UK embassy in BKK is a requirement?

Yes, for your marriage to be registered in the UK.

But, not necessary for any other reason. I would certainly have it notarised at MFA as if, for instance, your wife required a Schengen visa, then the application would require a fully notarised copy of your marriage certificate and I'm sure there could be other instances whereby a notarised copy is required.

Though, having your marriage registered in the UK will not make any difference to a visa application at all.

[wooloomooloo]

...and if I recall correctly, there's the small matter of the cost of a UK registered marriage. It was certainly over £100.

[ChangMaiSausage]

I looked into it and decided there was no gains to register the marriage in the UK unless we planned to settle there.

My wife just renewed her UK visa (previously a five year now a ten) last month using a translation of our wedding certificate.

[wooloomooloo]

I looked into the potential benefits of a UK registered marriage over four years ago after I was married in LOS to my Thai wife. A week after we were married my wife applied for settlement to the UK which was duly approved nine weeks later.

I initially thought that there must be a benefit and duly scoured the internet. I honestly could not find one instance of a positive for spending over 100 quid for a UK registered marriage and decided on saving my hard earned.

ChangMaiSausage, I really don't think there is any discernible benefit whether your wife is visiting or settling. Though, I'm happy to be corrected.

[steve187]

I married in Thailand, my wife obtained, settlement visa, ,ILR, British citizenship, British passport and driving licence, also worked in the UK, never needed a birth certificate, marriage was never registered, and only with a translation of marriage certificate stamped by translation service.

[ChangMaiSausage]

Looks as if there are no gains in registering your Thai wedding certificate.

Maybe someone knows of a reason?

[lungbing]

Your descendants can find you when they are researching their family tree. Other than that I found no reason to record our marriage in the UK.

[denby45]

You are looking for benefits but maybe you should be looking for drawbacks. I believe she will qualify for half your estate if you register.

Den

[davidmann]

WHY ,no need to ,could make difficult in the future

[wooloomooloo]

You are looking for benefits but maybe you should be looking for drawbacks. I believe she will qualify for half your estate if you register.

That's pretty much a given in the UK subject to a divorce court's decision, with or without UK registration.

[bkk_mike]

You are looking for benefits but maybe you should be looking for drawbacks. I believe she will qualify for half your estate if you register.

Den

I think you'll find it's divorcing in the UK that will do that, not registering the marriage there.

The only benefit to registration is, as someone else said, making it easier to find you for genealogical reasons. (If you have relatives that you've lost contact with then it might be worthwhile. (Did you ever watch the programme "Heir Hunters" where they're looking for eligible heirs to stop the government inheriting an estate after someone's death?)

[baneko]

Used to like Heir Hunters is it still on the box or maybe on Dave by now.

So the best plan is once its converted to english go and get it stamped in the UK embassy BKK. No need for registration in the UK.

Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

You do not need it stamped by the embassy and I am not even sure they will do any stamps unless it is for a certified copy.

Just get the translation done and have it certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I went back through the UK gov websites again and still could not find anything about registering a foreign marriage in the UK.

[wooloomooloo]

So the best plan is once its converted to english go and get it stamped in the UK embassy BKK. No need for registration in the UK.

If you aren't going to register your marriage in the UK then there is no reason to go to the British Embassy, baneko.

You've already made one visit for your affirmation of freedom to marry. That was quite enough, I'm sure.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[wooloomooloo]

Just to add, I would highly recommend getting it notarised at MFA. It saves a lot of aggravation down the line and for such a small inconvenience and cost.

[denby45]

You are looking for benefits but maybe you should be looking for drawbacks. I believe she will qualify for half your estate if you register.

Den

I think you'll find it's divorcing in the UK that will do that, not registering the marriage there.

The only benefit to registration is, as someone else said, making it easier to find you for genealogical reasons. (If you have relatives that you've lost contact with then it might be worthwhile. (Did you ever watch the programme "Heir Hunters" where they're looking for eligible heirs to stop the government inheriting an estate after someone's death?)

Yes you are quite right. However there is nothing to stop her from divorcing in the UK. I know this first hand although it did not involve a Thai lady but another nationality. Whoever starts proceedings first in whichever country they choose then that is where the hearing will take place. Once proceedings have been lodged in that country then the other person cannot start proceedings in another country.

Den

[baneko]

Thanks lads for all the good info.

[Liquorice]

@benako.

The service to register overseas marriages and deposit your documents with the GRO ceased this year.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/marriage-certificate-registry-service-discontinued-for-overseas-brits

Marriage certificate registry service discontinued for overseas Brits

The UK recognises any overseas marriage as long as the local laws for marriage were followed.

Your original marriage certificate and translation by a certified translator will be accepted by anyone in the UK.

There is no need to get your marriage certificate notarised by the MFA in Thailand and legalised by the British Embassy as the UK and Thailand have reciprocal agreements between the Countries on marriage and divorce.

[wooloomooloo]

Get it notarised, nonetheless. Trust me.

[MiKT]

One good reason for getting your marriage registered in the UK was if you want to adopt any Thai kids. The UK govenment does (did) not recognise adoption in Thailand (not sure now) and you have to go through a very long and complicated vetting process that can take over 2 years, having a UK registered marriage was ( I am pretty sure) a requirement before.

They used to keep the origional of your Thai marraige certificate (deposited in the General Register Office) and issue you with a scruffy bit of paper; but many embassies, like India, Korea, Malaysia etc. prefered the UK paper if you wanted to work/live there and take your wife with you.

HOWEVER.... as of 1 January 2014 this service has been discontinued.

This is what the UK govenment say https://www.gov.uk/government/news/marriage-certificate-registry-service-discontinued-for-overseas-brits

"There is no legal requirement to deposit your foreign marriage or civil partnership certificate with the GRO, or to have your marriage/civil partnership recorded in the UK. The deposit of a foreign certificate does not make the marriage legal in the UK, nor does it ‘recognise’ the marriage as a valid one.

The validity in UK law of a marriage or civil partnership contracted in a foreign country is in no way affected by its having been, or not having been, recorded in the UK."

This is not very helpful, so I looked this up and.....

If a marriage is carried out overseas it can be recognised as a valid marriage under UK family law. There is a presumption that if a couple goes through a ceremony of marriage, and thereafter live together as man and wife, the marriage is valid. However, this is a rebuttable presumption. The marriage must therefore meet various conditions to be valid under UK family law. The fundamental requirement is that the marriage ceremony must be recognised as a valid form of marriage by the law of the country where the marriage took place. It must have been properly executed so as to satisfy the requirements of the law of the country in which it took place. There must not be anything in the law of either party’s country of domicile restricting their freedom to enter the marriage. Any previous marriage of either party must first have been validly terminated in the eyes of UK family law.

A court can make a declaration as to the validity of a marriage. If you are unsure whether your marriage will be legally recognised, you can petition a court for a declaration of status under Section 55 of the Family Law Act 1986. You can also get a Certificate of No Impediment from the authorities in the country you want to get married in to confirm that there are no objections to your proposed marriage. If you are concerned about the validity of your overseas marriage, you should get in touch with a specialist family solicitor. The recognition of your marriage can have important legal and financial effects, and can affect the immigration status of you and your partner in the UK. Therefore, obtaining legal advice from a family solicitor is highly advisable. - See more at: http://www.contactlaw.co.uk/blog/family-law/in-what-circumstances-are-overseas-marriages-recognised-99244.html#sthash.LFCZBAxk.dpuf

The good news is a properly registered Thai marriage will meet all UK legal requirements.

[Richard W]

It is not something you have to do. Your marriage is recognized in the UK.

Not, it seems, by EU visa-issuing authorities, such as Germany or Spain. It seems that they need recent legalisations.

If you are unsure whether your marriage will be legally recognised, you can petition a court for a declaration of status under Section 55 of the Family Law Act 1986.

Interesting. Are there any advantages in this over simply marrying again in the UK?