Marrying abroad... without a hitch
MORE couples than ever are gathering their nearest and dearest for sun-soaked destination weddings – yet planning your Big Day from afar can be daunting, and legal obligations can often be overlooked.
Partner at law firm JMW Solicitors (jmw.co.uk), Katie Lowe, says: “Year-on-year, we see an increase in calls from couples with issues relating to weddings abroad. They’ve had a wonderful wedding before then finding out they were never married at all.”
To ensure your wedding is bona fide rather than bogus, make sure these boxes are ticked.
Gather the right legal documents
Gathering documents can feel like a chore, but make sure you’re clear on the paperwork you need before booking your wedding. The rules differ considerably between regions, with some more onerous than others. Don’t leave it to your wedding planner – it’s not uncommon for couples to be married without the right paperwork in place. Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger’s exotic marriage in Bali is a famous example: It was claimed the priest who officiated the ceremony did not receive the right legal documents, there had only been one witness, and a letter of authority hadn’t been received from the British consul.
Quirky customs
If you’re jetting off to Mexico, don’t forget to arrange blood tests; both the bride and groom will need blood tests at a Mexican hospital before the wedding, witnessed by four people. Lowe advises: “Along with documents and paperwork, some countries do have very specific rules which can be somewhat left-field. Make sure you do your research well in advance to make sure you are comfortable with the conditions.”
Check the residency rules Those planning on heading straight down the aisle could find they need to spend some time in the country before saying, ‘I do’. In Croatia and Cyprus, for example, the couple must spend three days in the country before the wedding can take place legally; in Thailand you’re required to spend four days in Bangkok. Even more planning is required in Greece, where documents must be obtained from the local registrar at least 28 days in advance, and Italy has a few strange regulations: If you’re female and have been divorced or widowed in the last 300 days, you won’t be permitted to marry.
Have documents translated Gathering the right paperwork is just the beginning; you’ll also need documents to be translated, including birth certificates, passports and a decree absolute if either of you is divorced. Make sure you have this done well in advance.
Certify marriage certificates and keep them safe
Make sure you keep marriage documents safe to avoid issues further down the line. Lowe says: “People often don’t get a certified copy of their marriage certificate on returning to the UK, assuming all the legal legwork has been done prior to the wedding.
“The General Register Office will need to register it, which cannot be done if the original copy has been lost.”
“If you’re getting married abroad, seek legal advice beforehand to make sure that the necessary requirements have been met – it could save an awful lot of heartache.”