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Same Sex Marriage at British Embassy Manila

Discussion in 'UK Visa and Immigration Help' started by Mark0317, Jan 19, 2020.

  1. Mark0317
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    Mark0317 Member

    Hi Guys!! How is everyone? Sorry I have been inactive lately on this forum but here I am now writing my experience on getting married at British Embassy Manila. Please note that this post is merely based on my experience and on my spouse circumstance before getting married and unable to answer any queries beyond our situation.

    This link pretty much tells you everything about the process in getting married at British Embassy.

    https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad/y/philippines/same_sex

    Before you can get married you and you partner should be in the Philippines for 21 Days and before you can give Notice of Marriage to the Embassy, you and your partner should be in the Philippines for 7 full days.

    Time line:

    August 20, 2019 ............Spouse Arrived in the Philippines
    August 29, 2019.............Notice of Marriage at UK Embassy
    -We would like to do it on the 28 and their is no slot available.
    Documents brought:
    • My Passport and His. Stamped on our passport served as a proof that we have been in the Philippines for 7 full days.
    • Decree Absolute. Served as a proof that my spouse is divorced. (My partner went to a local registry office in UK to check if he needed a Certificate of No Impediment and told that he does not need to have it)
    • Certificate of No Marriage. This served as a proof that I am single and free to get married.
    • I also brought extra documents such as my utility bills as another proof that I live in the Philippines, our picture together but those were not actually needed.
    Note:
    -In Giving of Notice of Marriage you have to signed a declaration that you are legally allowed to get married. You will also need to provide a date on when do you want to get married. Earliest would be after 14 days from Giving Notice.
    -It will cost £50 to give notice.
    -Days after our appointment to the Embassy we received an email asking us to give them the list of all the guest that you want to bring on a wedding ceremony. Maximum is 10 guests. Embassy as it is, they are strict when it comes to security so you are only allowed to use 1 mobile phone and 1 camera for taking photograph during wedding ceremony. You also need to provide them the name of the Phone and Camera to be used.

    September 13, 2019...... Wedding Ceremony
    Note: You have to pay for £150 to register your marriage and another £50 for marriage certificate if you want one. Advisable to get one for future visa application.
    -You have to bring 2 witnesses with you.
    -Ceremony only lasted about 15 minutes. The consul who will facilitate the ceremony will asked you if you want to give your own vows as they have a template that you can read. We choose to have ours.

    People in the Embassy is very welcoming.
    I suggest that you arrived 15 minutes early.
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2020
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  2. Druk1
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    Druk1 Well-Known Member

    Interesting,can I ask why you didn't get married in a church?Or similar?
  3. Mark0317
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    Mark0317 Member

    Same sex marriage is not legally recognized in the Philippines. I am Catholic and same sex marriage is definitely not allowed in a Church.
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  4. Druk1
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    Druk1 Well-Known Member

    Thanks,i was unaware of that.
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  5. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    It will probably take a long time to change too, the grip that the church has over there.
    It was a shock to see that condoms were being given out there so I suppose anything can happen given time.

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