Please help... Embassy Officials Refusing to Attest Marriage Certificate?

[bothan]

I am a British expat living in the UAE for the past year. I was born in the lived and worked there all my life. Now my wife and daughter want to join me here now and as part of my contract my employer is paying for this. My wife is from a commnwealth country and has been granted British nationaility. We married in her country overseas in 2006 and immediately after that I applied for her spouse visa through the British embassy. She has been living and working in the UK since May 2006. I came out to the UAE myself in 2009. We also have a 1 year old daugther. However, as per the visa laws in the UAE I have to get my marriage certificate attested by the Foreign Affairs of the country where the marriage took place, then by the UAE Embassy in the country where the marriage took place.After that I have to get it attested a third time by the Foreign Affairs of the UAE. The marriage certificate has been attested by the Foreign Affairs of the country in which the marriage took place and now it is in the hands of he UAE Embassy in the country where the marriage took place. We are facing a problem from this embassy because they are saying that our marriage never took place which is completely shocking to us because my wifes British nationaility was granted on the basis of being married to me and we went through the stringent nationaility application processes of the UK Immigration and Border Service.

We have reached deadlock in the situation. The UAE embassy is asking for proof that I entered the country where our marriage took place but I told them that I cannot produce that original passport I travelled on because it was reported lost, and I was issued with a new one. We feel as if we are being discriminated against despite following all the rules. We have all photographs, and all witnesses from the marriage are present. The UAE embassy have refused to give us a reason why they think our marriage never took place. How can we deal with this situation? Thanks.

[devdutta58]

Since it is the UAE that is refusing to attest your documents, it is pointless to appeal to the UK government. When it comes to dealing with arab countries, it is up to the whims of the officials and often a word from an influential person on your behalf or a "favour" ($ notes) can have surprising impact on their whims. But you have to tread carefully. The question to ask is not why do you think the marriage never took place, but "How can I persuade you that the marriage took place?". You may be surprised at the answer.

[maddox]

Since it is the UAE that is refusing to attest your documents, it is pointless to appeal to the UK government. When it comes to dealing with arab countries, it is up to the whims of the officials and often a word from an influential person on your behalf or a "favour" ($ notes) can have surprising impact on their whims. But you have to tread carefully. The question to ask is not why do you think the marriage never took place, but "How can I persuade you that the marriage took place?". You may be surprised at the answer.

I would recommend a service I used regarding immigration, its online legal service but they are really cheap and really swift, would highly refer them. www.cubelegal.co.uk

[tredway]

Can you contact the registrar in England where the marriage took place and get a copy of the marriage license, directly from them. That should prove you got married in England, and should solve the problem I would think. They're not going to take your friends and witnesses word for it, they want proof.

[hampton83]

If you go here, you will find a complaints link: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/ Go there and file a compliant