Certified marriage certificate

[warren_sa]

Hi there,

I have two questions and hopefully they are easy to answer.

Today I went to apply for a Schengen visa and the gentleman there said he could not give me the "free spousal route" as my South African marriage certificate has not been certified in the UK yet.

This got me a bit worried as I am due to apply for my ILR next February.

Question 1: Do I need to have my marriage certificate certified by the South African embassy in the UK to apply for ILR? It already has a stamp from the SA home affairs when we got married in SA 5 years ago.

Question 2: When should I apply for my ILR? It says it can take up to 6 months to process so when would I need to apply if my FLR expires in February?

Thanks in advance!

[seagul]

Hi there,

I have two questions and hopefully they are easy to answer.

Today I went to apply for a Schengen visa and the gentleman there said he could not give me the "free spousal route" as my South African marriage certificate has not been certified in the UK yet.

This got me a bit worried as I am due to apply for my ILR next February.

Question 1: Do I need to have my marriage certificate certified by the South African embassy in the UK to apply for ILR? It already has a stamp from the SA home affairs when we got married in SA 5 years ago.

If it was initially accepted by UK visa authorities then more likely be accepted now & later too. But preferably get a original copy from relevant authorities.

Question 2: When should I apply for my ILR? It says it can take up to 6 months to process so when would I need to apply if my FLR expires in February?

Thanks in advance!

So your visa has already expired in February.

[vinny]

I am due to apply for my ILR next February.

Expires next February?

[warren_sa]

I am due to apply for my ILR next February.

Expires next February?

Yes February 2019.

[warren_sa]

Any help on these two questions would be much appreciated guys.

Do I need to have the certificate certified in the UK too and when would be the best time for me to start the application process to stay in the UK indefinitely?

[Katie_France]

Your overseas marriage or civil partnership will be recognised in the UK if you follow the correct process according to local law - you won’t have to register it in the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-part ... need-to-do

[warren_sa]

Thanks anyway all, I was able to find the answers to these questions.

1) If the marriage certificate was accepted in the initial visa application, it will be accepted in the Indefinite Leave to Remain application.

2) You can only apply 28 days before it expires.

Thanks!