Yes, you can marry your Thai girlfriend in England, provided you both meet the necessary legal requirements for marriage in the UK.
Marrying a foreign national in the UK often involves obtaining the correct immigration status. A common route for a Thai citizen coming to the UK specifically to marry is via a Fiancé(e) visa.
UK Fiancé(e) Visa and Marrying in England
The UK Fiancé(e) visa is designed for individuals who wish to come to the UK to marry their partner (who must be a British citizen, settled in the UK, or have refugee/humanitarian protection status) and then apply to stay in the UK after the marriage.
According to the [UK Fiancé(e) Visa eligibility](https://example.com/fiance-visa-info - Placeholder link, replace with actual if available):
- You must be engaged to a partner who is a foreign (Thai) citizen.
- Both you and your partner must be over the age of 18 at the time of the application.
- Both you and your partner are permitted to marry legally in the UK under British law. This is a crucial point confirming that the legal framework exists for such marriages.
- You must have met your Thai partner in person.
Key Requirements for Marrying in England as a Foreign National
To legally marry in England, foreign nationals typically need to give notice of marriage at a designated register office. The process and required documents can vary depending on nationality and immigration status.
- Give Notice of Marriage: Both partners must attend a designated register office together to give notice of their intention to marry.
- Proof of Eligibility: You will need to provide evidence that you are both free to marry (e.g., not currently married), your identities, and your addresses.
- Immigration Status: If your Thai girlfriend is entering the UK specifically to marry, she will typically need a Fiancé(e) visa (or a Marriage Visitor visa if she intends to leave the UK shortly after the marriage without settling). Entering as a standard visitor with the intention to marry is generally not permitted.
Understanding "Permitted to Marry Legally"
The reference states that both partners must be "permitted to marry legally in the UK under British law." This refers to the fundamental legal requirements that apply to everyone marrying in the UK, such as:
- Being over 18 years old.
- Not being currently married or in a civil partnership with someone else.
- Not being closely related in a way that British law considers unlawful for marriage.
Meeting these legal criteria is separate from, but essential for, the immigration requirements (like obtaining a Fiancé(e) visa) that allow a foreign national to enter the UK to marry.
Therefore, while the process involves navigating immigration rules, the answer to whether you can marry is yes, as British law allows it for those who meet the legal and immigration conditions.
