Marrying A Non - EU Citizen

Quick question for the board.

My girlfriend of 3 years is not from Europe and we intend on getting married before her visa runs out at the start of March. Is there any way to get married within the next 5 weeks without having to apply for a certificate of approval from the Home Office?

Basically I’ve been looking into it and Registry Offices are telling me that we would need to apply for a Certificate of Approval from Home Office as she is not from the EU, takes 20 – 70 days to get processed and approved (I'm not sure it will be approved with only 50 days left on visa). Then once approved you meet with a Register Office and once they are happy with everything you can get married after 16 days.

Basically we have about 5 weeks left on gf's visa, I’m thinking there must be a quicker way to get it done without having to apply for a certificate of approval. Marrying in a Church may be an option as they don't seem to require a certificate, I'm not sure. Has anyone here got married to a non - eu citizen? Can you advise?

Thanks,
Mike

Assuming she's on a visitor visa you do know even if you did get married via CoA or not she'd still have to return home to apply for EC as a spouse? In other word she still woundn't be albe to switch visas in-country.

Thanks Wonderer - she is on a student visa, does that make any difference?

I know a Spanish girl through my gf who married her Turkish boyfriend (non EU) in June 07 and as far as I know neither have had to return to their home countries.

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Thanks Vinny, those links are very useful. I need to make some enquiries at my local church.

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Switching to spouse from student is allowed in-country so ur ok there!

Cheers Wonderer.

Does anyone happen to have a list of Anglican Churches in the UK, particularly in London?

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Information sheets - search by postcode or Individual parish web sites