In November I went through a wedding ceremony in Slovakia. It was not registered with the authorities here but I got married in the Korean church. I've sought advice from numerous officials in registry offices in the UK to determine whether or not this was legal (I'm British and my husband is Korean). 50 say yes 50% say no. One registry office official said that only a judge could say for sure, but having looked at my certificates which were signed by two witnesses, she thought they appeared valid. She said we could also go through another ceremony in the UK, but that would definitely invalidate the first one. Have you been in a similar situation. If so what did you do? At the moment I'm confused and I want my wedding to be legal. I spent several months before the service trying to get advice but literally noone so far has been able to clarify for sure whether this is legal.
2007-12-16 02:32:05 · 18 answers · asked by Ginny Jin 7 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Ghandi - I'm not a slapper. Please do not insult other users. If you don't have anything useful to say please don't say it. I've spent hours on the phone speaking to government officials in the UK about this but am still no further forward, and have been with my husband for a long time.
2007-12-16 02:43:11 · update #1
The best advice I could give you is to go and see a solicitor who deals with family law. You'll know for sure one way or the other seeking this kind of professional advice. You can then take the necessary steps (if any) to get the matter settled once and for all to put your mind at rest. Congrats on your wedding! I've no doubt you are married in the eyes of God, but I suppose there will always be paper work that needs sorting out. By the way...thanks for the wedding invite!! :-) Best wishes for the future.
2007-12-16 09:31:32 · answer #1 · answered by Emerald Book Reviews 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you requested documentation from the church in Slovakia? Perhaps you should contact them and ask if anything was filed with the government. If you didn't sign a license and fill the contractual aspect of marriage by applying for and filing a marriage license, then your wedding may have been a purely spiritual union. The bright side to that is a 2nd civil ceremony will not invalidate the 1st one that was between you & God. If there is no certificate of marriage with a raised seal and no record of the ceremony then you are not married.
2007-12-16 14:05:31 · answer #2 · answered by bountifiles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How does a second ceremony invalidate the first one? I think I would investigate that further.
If living in the UK, I would think having a second UK ceremony would clear up any doubts.
Have you contacted an attorney? Or you say "One registry office official said that only a judge could say for sure." Have you contacted a judge?
2007-12-16 12:30:30 · answer #3 · answered by Suz123 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one can give you a definitive answer upon which you can rely except an attorney licensed to practice in UK. Each country has its own laws such that the marriage might be recognized in Slovakia but not in UK, etc. This is a very complicated issue, especially if you are dealing with immigration issues.
2007-12-16 10:38:48 · answer #4 · answered by michael.delcour 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wedding ceremonies are always legal. Your marriage may or may not.
If you didn't register locally then how can another government body recognize what wasn't registered? What does it matter what church it was done (unless the minister was not recognized by the local law to conduct marriage ceremonies).
If you have some reason to worry (like immigration) then you should ALWAYS check with lawyers (few so one nutty one don't waste your time). This is not something you should risk to the opinions of us Yahoo nuts.
Congratulations - good luck.
2007-12-16 10:40:39 · answer #5 · answered by Lover not a Fighter 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you spent so much on your wedding why didn't you just get some legal advice, such as hire a lawyer or let a minister or someone like that perform your ceremony. It sounds legal for your country though, Good Luck, I hope it doesn't become a problem later!!!
2007-12-16 10:37:12 · answer #6 · answered by bigsan2001 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it probably is legal, but since it was not registered, you may have to got through another ceremony to validate it. sometimes that happens when you get married in another country. just go through another ceremony or have a courthouse marriage. you might need to get a marriage license and get officially married.
2007-12-16 10:37:55 · answer #7 · answered by ns1218 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
nothing invalidates another and if it does it's just legal red tape junk so get a judge to marry you and then you'll know for sure you loved him enough to marry him so do it again, only cheaply not a problem you just need for the government to acknowledge your marriage so much for man made governments marriage is a God thing not a man made union!
2007-12-16 10:43:25 · answer #8 · answered by Tony Burke 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
why not just get it registered...a marriage is a marriage anywhere you go...cause you get married in the usa and move to england doesnt mean you arent married...one country recognizes anothers marriage decree...i would suggest you get it registered there shouldnt be any question after that....forget the hours you have spent on the phone...just do it and forget about it
2007-12-16 10:46:43 · answer #9 · answered by bailie28 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
can be legal there but not in UK if its not registered in the Slovakian authorities.pretty sure about that
if you want to be sure just contact directly your local advice bureau but have a look first to www.homeoffice.gov.uk
2007-12-16 11:14:12 · answer #10 · answered by amiros 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋