Getting married in 4 weeks...

[AMRWM]

I am getting married in Algeria in 4 weeks and just need some advice about the marriage certificate. Do we need to get it stamped at the British Consulate before I leave? My husband is convinced we do, but I am not so sure. I know it needs to be stamped at the Algerian Foreign Office, but would be grateful if someone could clarify exactly what needs to be done.

Any advice much appreciated.

Anne-Marie

[Felicity]

Congratulations

I don't think you can get it stamped at the UK Embassy, but you can lodge it for a small fee (which you get a receipt for). This is just an option and you don't need to do it as it is recognised in the UK as a marriage, but you wouldn't be able to get a copy of your marriage certificate in the UK, unless you lodge it, if you get me.

Depositing marriage and civil partnership documents in the UK

[AMRWM]

Thanks for the advice. I think we will lodge it at the GRO just in case we ever need a copy. Good to know we do not need to go to the British embassy though. Want to be able to relax for a few days!!

[Felicity]

We did lodge the marriage certificate via the British Embassy in Algiers, so I'm not really sure how the GRO thing works, but I do know your husband to be could always lodge it without you there if you didn't have time, even though it is unlikely they would let him in the actual embassy...

[AMRWM]

Now I am really curious - why wouldn't they let him in?!

[Felicity]

At the time that my husband went, they only let British people in, I presume due to terrorism fears.

[penthesilee]

hello
It's really not easy to get the visa for the husband, it's much easier when the wife is not British and the husband is..
I know someone who tried 5 times to get it..
The most important is to make a good and consistant file, not only the marriage certficate, you'll need lot of pics together, and especially in the party.. and you'll need to join the letters or emails or telephone bills, the proof of your contact in a long period..
all the documents must be translated to English, and in 2 copies, even the pictures ( you can put only photocopies of pic)

And you need to add everything about you, it's better to have a house, and bank statement of at least 6 months, his bank statment too, you both must somehow prove that your husband will not need to recourse to public funds..

Good luck and congrats