Marriage in England for a Latvian girl and a Maldivian

[Tainu]

I am in full time work in England (under Post study Visa) and am planning to marry next year (2010). She is from Latvia and I am from Maldives. I have been in the UK for 7 years now (under Student visa). I would like to find out what the laws entitle us to (if any) about getting married in the UK and what effects us afterwords. Thank you for your help in advance

[John]

Can you tell us more about your fiancée? She is in the UK? What is she doing here? That is, in what way is she exercising her EU Treaty Rights? Employed? Studying? Or how?

[Tainu]

sorry she just got graduated and now looking for work

[John]

OK, she is an EEA Citizen, so doesn't need one, but you are not, so need to apply for a CoA ... Certificate of Approval to Marry ... application now free .... and having got that CoA the two of you will be permitted to get married in the UK. Take a look at this UKBA webpage.

When are the two of you intending to get married?

Following the marriage you will be a "family member" of an EEA Citizen, and thus will be permitted to apply for a Residence Card, using application form EEA2, and this will confirm that you also will have Treaty Rights, including the ability to live in the UK, and to work, study, etc..

[Tainu]

Thank you John, that was very helpfull. much appriciated.

We are planning to get married April 2010.

[John]

OK, it sounds like you have definite plans in mind, and given the April 2010 date you mention, I suggest you apply for your CoA in the near future, and thus get the paperwork out of the way sooner rather than later. That is, there is no benefit in delaying matters, and possibly getting into a time panic next year.

So :-

• apply for your CoA in the near future .... application fee ... free!
• after getting your CoA, appreciate that is valid only 3 months, but all that means is that the two of you need to go along to the Register Office during those 3 months. It does not need you need to marry in the 3 months.
• So go along and give the required Notice of Intention to Marry. That is then posted openly there for 15 days, following which the formal permission to marry is issued ..... valid for 12 months!
• And so, permitted, marriage next April on a day of your choosing! (subject to availability of place where you want to get married)
• After the marriage, use form EEA2 to apply for a Residence Card

Unless the two of you plan to get married in a Church of England Church, in which case it is very different!