Paperwork to get married abroad.

Laura82_2

I realise there are probably posts covering this area already, but after looking through lots of posts, my vision is starting to blur!!
Is there anybody around who knows what happens to the paperwork they need in Rhodes?

What I already know we need...
both our birth certificates;
certificates of no impediment for both of us;
get these four documents legalised within 3months of return flight date;
get copies of legalised documents sent to the Thompson Weddings team;
these four documents will be translated when we get to Rhodes.

What I need to know is...
I've been told that the registrar retains birth certificates on file. This seemed strange to me, because obviously we need to have our birth certificates ourselves. I emailed the wedding co-ordinator at Thompson to try to clarify it, and the response was that the registrar retains all documents, so if we want to keep the original we'll have to obtain a duplicate before we travel. I'm still pretty confused, because obtaining copies of birth certificates will cost and I already have to pay for mine as I only have a short birth certificate, but need a long one.
Now, do they actually keep the birth certificate itself, or do they keep the Apostille (the certificate legalising the birth certificate).
This really is confusing me. I'd understand them keeping the legalisation, but not the birth certificate itself. Can anyone shed any light on this??
If they keep the birth certificates, then as I already need to apply for a long certificate for myself, I may as well just apply for the duplicates at the same time.

Also, we have to pay for the marriage certificate to be translated from Greek to English...does that mean we get to keep the Greek copy as well as the English copy?

sammy_wheeler

theres quite a few Rhodes brides- so i am sure you will get your answers-
i just wanted to say good luck and congrats

Laura82_2

Ah thankyou Sammy, congrats to you too. Yeah, hopefully someone can help!!

joho

Hi Laura82.

It only costs £8 for a copy of your birth certificate and they are quick. You can do it online. Really easy. Make sure you request a certified copy of your long birth certificate.

The Apostille is actually a small label attached to the back of the document to say it is genuine etc. You have to post your docs to FCO at Milton Keynes with a form from their website. You also need to make payment online - I can't remember how much it was now and I only did it a few weeks ago. Maybe £21 per document (yes, per document!). The FCO will post them back to you within 2 days and won't take payment until they've done the Apostille.

The Greek authorities keep everything! So if you are sentimentally attached to your birth certificate, make sure you get a copy to use for this process.

I have to pass on the question of keeping the Greek marriage certificate - but I'll come back to tell you in a few weeks time!

I see you are a St Pauls bride like me! Congratulations and don't worry about it too much. It seems complicated, but you can only do one thing at a time. HTH.x

fawny

Hi Laura,

Congratulations, another St Pauls Bride here:D

Joho has beaten me to it, the only thing I will add is that after reading a topic on trip advisor it does sound like you get to keep the Greek marriage certificate. Someone also said that it's easier & cheaper to get your certificate translated into English while you are in Rhodes but I don't know how true that is, I shall be asking our wedding planner when we meet.

All the best

Fawny

Laura82_2

Thankyou Joho and Fawny. I'll make sure I've got a couple of birth certificates each here so they can keep one while we still have our own copies. I hope we get to keep the Greek marriage certificate, a bit of authenticity from the day!! God, I'm glad they send the legalised stuff back in 2 days, I was thinking there migh be a last minute panic waiting for it all to be returned as it has to be done so close to the day!!