Marriage and previous divorce question/registrar

lulu221

Hope somebody can help 😊
If my partner does not want to say he was married previously does he HAVE to declare this when giving notice of intention ?
He is fully divorced decree/nisi/ absolute (22 yrs ago)
But would there be a problem if he put down he was single now? Would they find out that he had been divorced before ? And would the marriage be legal if he did this ?
Many thanks in advance
Lulu

candlelight_2013

One of the questions he will be asked when giving his Notice of Marriage is "have you been through any form of marriage before in this or any other country"

Obviously he has to answer this honestly, and then he will be asked "how did that marriage end". When he says divorce he will be asked to produce his absolute.

It has absolutely nothing to do with how long he has been divorced his marital status is not bachelor and why would he want to lie about it anyway?

Candlelightx

TonyMMM

When he lies to the questions mentioned above, he would be committing an offence of perjury.

Chances of being found out ? Depends largely on whether anyone decides to tell the registrar. The "notice of marriage" will be posted publicly for the statutory period to allow anyone to object if they wish.

If it is discovered then the marriage will not go ahead - and that includes at the point in the ceremony when people are asked if anyone knows of any impediments etc.

Not sure why he would want to take that risk.

TeamPlum

Why would he not want to mention it? What does he gain by keeping quiet?

DigForVictory

Is it that he thinks it'll "spoil your day"?
You know it happened & it's over, you want to go forward together - sounds perfectly fine.

So the sticking point may be over the paperwork. Is it
lost
misplaced
incomplete
mythical?

Most of these can be fixed - duplicates can be obtained (delay & expense but possible) but if he's ready to commit perjury on your special day then two huge questions arise - where is that absolute and why does perjury seem better?

I have no idea why someone with an unhappy long ago past should not look forward to a clean slate & bright start if it weren't for a nasty fear Something Will Come After Him & in your shoes, I'd be asking what.

Very best of luck OP & please keep us informed?

paddy's_mum

The instant something is hidden, it creates suspicion.

Why would you want to tell lies alongside him?

If it's to prevent your family and friends finding out that he has been married before, just remember that once uttered, you are going to spend the rest of your life sustaining that deceit and that's a hard row to hoe.

jb1305

Yes, he must tell them when he gives notice. My husband had to provide evidence to show he was divorced. On our marriage certificate under my name it says single, under his name it says divorced. It makes no difference to us, as much as we would like to we can't change the past but it was just a legal requirement to get married. No one looks at your marriage certificate anyway.

Kynthia

People shouldn't say their status is single on official documents and legal paperwork when they are divorced but they do it all the time. It can cause problems they aren't aware of like with their work pension if it's an older scheme.

missbiggles1

Why start a marriage with a lie?

hazyjo

Are you 100% sure he actually divorced? What reason has he given you for not wanting to mention it?




Jx

suki1964

Does the registrar not have to check all these details are correct before banns can be read?

All the same, it would be awful having to have complete strangers as your witnesses and at your wedding . You would never ask a friend to witness a lie on a legal document would you?