more questions for the Resident Reverend
Well the post bags are fit to bursting this week with a number of you wanting to ask the NewlyWeds-UK Resident Reverend a question about your wedding planning, the wedding ceremony, and getting married in a church.
Remember if you have a question to ask, just click 'add new comment' at the top of this article, or to email me direct, click on 'contact us' at the top of the page.
James
NewlyWeds-UK Group Editor
So onto our question of the week
I am Church of England currently living in Surrey. My parents have recently divorced and my father has moved back in to the old family home in Norfolk with his new partner, soon to be wife. My mother moved up to North Yorkshire last December. My boyfriend is from Gibraltar and a Catholic, but currently lives in England and we hope to move back there in the autumn.
Dear Resident Reverend...
Is it possible for us to get married in the UK and preferably in Yorkshire, in my mum's parish church. AND would this be possible do after we have moved back to Gibraltar? OR would it be necessary to marry before we leave England?
Many Thanks
Kathryn
Well Kathryn, I'll ask the Resident Reverend to get back to you ASAP [James]
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Comments
Hi Kathryn
You certainly don't do things by halves do you? You're asking quite a few questions so I'll try to answer bit by bit, but I'm awaiting advice on some of your questions myself.
First of all it's fine for you to get married in the UK. If you wanted to get married in Surrey, in your local church or in your boyfriend's local church (if that's different to yours) - that would be the easiest thing. It doesn't matter to us that he is a Catholic but if he hasn't got a British passport then you will need to contact your diocesan registrar for advice. I'll try to elaborate on this tomorrow.
Getting married in Yorkshire is not really an option unless you are able to visit your mum regularly and start attending the church there yourself. You'd need to chat with the Vicar regarding what level of attendance they deem appropriate in order to get yourself on the electoral roll, but that process takes 6 months.
There might be a case to apply for a Special Licence to get married in the parish of the family home in Norfolk but it sounds as if the family circumstances would cause you to feel that wasn't appropriate.
I'll try to give a fuller answer tomorrow but can you confirm what kind of passport your boyfriend holds in the meantime? Many thanks
Jan Harney (Rev'd)
My boyfriend holds a uk passport with british nationality.
Excellent - just as I hoped.
The other option is for you to organise to live in the parish in North Yorkshire for 15 days prior to the wedding. You then have to go to the diocesan registrar and swear an affidavit to confirm your 15 day residency. He or she will then issue you with a Bishop's Licence which allows you to get married there.
Obviously this would take some forward planning and not everyone can have so much time off.I hope this helps - it certainly got me working!
Every blessing for your wedding - whatever you decide.
Jan Harney (Rev'd)