Final checklist of getting married in uk

[C4C4]

Hi,

I am a British citizen currently working in Hong Kong, I have been with my HK Citizen girlfriend for 3 years now and we plan to get married, but as I am returning to UK we would like to marry in England.

She has already applied for a COA so we are jus waiting for confirmation (tension rising). But as I am not 100% sure on all the procedures I would like to ask for some of your opinions and help.

Once we get (hopefully) our COA I will return to England with her and must wait 7 full days (is this correct?) before going to one of the 76 registry offices in Engalnd to give notice of marriage.

But once all that is done does that mean we're married? or do we then also go to another rigistry office to marry? I know that any ceremonies will be no less than 15 days after giving notice.

Once we are married and can finaly live our lives in peace does my girlfriend need to pass a UK resident test?

Thank you so much in advance and Im sorry if my questions are noobish but I've done so much reading that its becoming more and more complicated.

[stmellon]

Dear C4C4,

Giving notice of marriage is (clearly!) not the same as getting married, any more than buying a plane ticket is the same as travelling to the UK. You have to board the plane and fly for hours before you reach the destination!

Notice of marriage allows for any objections to be raised (obviously they would have to be specific objections, such as you being blood relatives or married to somebody else).

However, the bureaucracy doesn't end there. Your wife will have two years Leave to Reman (LTR), and after this period she will need to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR, sometimes referred to as Permanent Residency). You will find a lot of posts about ILR on thiese boards.

She will only need to complete a Life in the UK test if she intends to naturalise (renounce her Chinese citizenship and become a British Citizen).

Good luck with it all!

[paulp]

C4C4, have you lived together in a relationship akin to marriage with your gf and if yes, for how long?

[sakura]

Dear C4C4,

Giving notice of marriage is (clearly!) not the same as getting married, any more than buying a plane ticket is the same as travelling to the UK. You have to board the plane and fly for hours before you reach the destination!

Notice of marriage allows for any objections to be raised (obviously they would have to be specific objections, such as you being blood relatives or married to somebody else).

However, the bureaucracy doesn't end there. Your wife will have two years Leave to Reman (LTR), and after this period she will need to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR, sometimes referred to as Permanent Residency). You will find a lot of posts about ILR on thiese boards.

She will only need to complete a Life in the UK test if she intends to naturalise (renounce her Chinese citizenship and become a British Citizen).
Good luck with it all!

Actually she also needs the test for ILR.