How can a UK citizen and US citizen marry in Jamaica?

South African bride to marry a UK citizen and settle in the UK

• Hi, I am getting marrried to a South African lady in the new year, 2003. We plan to marry out there as all her family is there and then move to the UK and settle here. I am a british citizen by birth and I am a full time resident of the UK. I would like to know the following: - Assuming we have not done anything, what is the process we need to follow to get married in South Africa, what documentation I need to bring with me. - How do we ensure that it is recognised as a legitimate marriage by the UK so we can apply for her spousal visa to enable her to settle in the UK. - As much advice, etc as possible so we can ensure that her visa application will go smoothly and with no mishap. - Any other relevant facts, information or advice is welcome.

• Answer:

  Dear Naj, Congratualtions on the marriage! Getting married in South Africa - Basic marriage law is written here: http://www.southafricahouse.com/civic.htm#_4._MARRIAGES First you have to register your marriage (this is free) and done at the same day you come; at the same day you also have to apply for a marriage certificate, that costs R40. If you're still in the UK you can do it prior to the marriage in the consulate (15 Whitehall London SW1A 2DD; Tel: +44 (0) 20 7 925 8910; Fax: +44 (0) 20 7930 1510 (Main Number); +44 (0) 20 7930 1519 ; +44 (0) 20 7925 8913; Submission of applications: Monday – Friday (8h45 – 12h45)); you can also do it in the regional offices of the Dep. of Home Affairs in South Africa (see a list here -http://home-affairs.pwv.gov.za/regions.asp). You have to ask for form BI-130 (careful: PDF - http://home-affairs.pwv.gov.za/documents/bi-130.pdf). Documents you must have: your passport; if you're still a minor, your parent's consent must be presented (same for your bride); all documents regarding a death of a spouse if you're a widower or divorce in case you're divorced; you can read all of that in the official Dep. of Home Affairs site - http://home-affairs.pwv.gov.za/civil_marriage.asp You can become a South African citizen "If married to a South African spouse, two years of permanent residence and two years of marriage to the South African spouse immediately prior to the application". (see : http://home-affairs.pwv.gov.za/sa_citizenship.asp). Your British nationality is not affected. Under British Nationality Law a British citizen can have more than one nationality. Marrying a British citizen is no guarantee of the right to live and work there. You apply for settlement visa, and then after three years of marriage and legal residency, she can apply for citizenship. For your wife to settle in the UK, you'll need the following (warning: PDFs - require "acrobat reader"): http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/IM2A,0.pdf http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/IM2B.pdf South African legal marriages are recognised in the UK. Therefore, there should be no specific problems (but you might want to consider applying for permanent settlement while you're still engaged). You must bring with you your marriage certificate. However, you must ensure them when they ask, that you're not "convinience" marriage only that she could get a British residency/citizenship. If they suspect any of that, hey might deny her the visa. If you lived together before the marriage - bring evidences; also bring: picutres of you and of the wedding (incl. the relatives), letters that you might have sent to each other and any other "proof" that you're not "faked". Your wife will get will be given permission to stay and work for 12 months. Near the end of the 12 months, if you are still married and plan to live together, your husband or wife may apply to remain here permanently. (source: http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?pageID=106); you can see a list of the needed documents here: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/UKVisasDoINeedAVisa?url=%2Fservlet%2FFront%3Fpagename%3DOpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage%26c%3DPage%26cid%3D1006977149962&purpose=Settle&nationality=South+Africa&location=South+Africa&x=44&y=5 Your wife's British citizenship: "The wife or husband of a British citizen may apply for naturalisation after living in the United Kingdom legally for three years. The applicant's stay must not be subject to any time limit on the date of application; the applicant must be 18 or over and not of unsound mind, but does not have to meet the requirements to have sufficient knowledge of the language and to intend to live in the United Kingdom once naturalised. He or she must be of good character, however." Source: http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?PageId=145 If you or your future wife would want to, you can change your name by presenting the marriage documents + a passport at the South African consulate/Home Affairs (in the case of your wife); or (in your case) at the high commissioner or the Home Office. If you need more details, you might want to contact the IND at this address/phone: http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?PageId=51 Further tips and links: http://www.scotland.com/forums/forumdisplay.php3?forumid=17 http://www.ein.org.uk/ - http://www.justask.org.uk/ http://www.activeabroad.com/index2.html?main=visa_ukinfo http://www.workpermit.com/bclukimm.htm http://www.wedding-tips.com/ http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF8&group=misc.immigration.misc http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF8&group=soc.culture.british How I searched for you: I was asked about immigration laws several times before (in my site www.political-tips.com or in other forums, not here), so I knew the best addresses are usually the Home Office (or equivalent) and the consulates, as well as immigration authorities. After checking out the laws posed here, I also checked for advices and tips from "real" people in forums, as you can see. I searched google both in their regular search engine (://www.google.com) but also in their groups engine, where you can find discussion groups messages (http://groups.google.com/) I hope that helped and I wish you luck and happiness in your marriage. Please contact me if you need anything else.