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  1. #1
    Laos Expat
    navydoubs1977's Avatar
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    We're already Married????

    Right while trying to drive myself insane going through the whole complexities of moving me, wife and kids to Laos came across this,

    Foreign citizens intending to marry Lao nationals are required by Lao law to obtain prior permission from the Lao Government. The formal application process can take as long as a year. American citizens may obtain information about these requirements from the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane. The Lao Government will not issue a marriage certificate unless the correct procedures are followed.

    We never did any of this as we married in the UK. Does that mean we are not leagally married in Laos??? We havent followed the Laos family law.
    Last edited by navydoubs1977; 09-09-2012 at 01:50 AM.

  2. #2
    Knows fok all
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    This is advice for US citizens from the US Department of State. As Laos law is discussed it almost certainly applies to UK citizens also:

    Marriage: A Lao Prime Ministerial decree requires that marriages of Lao citizens performed abroad be registered with Lao embassies in order to be legal in Laos. If you marry a Lao citizen in the United States, when you visit or return to Laos, you may be subject to penalties under the Lao law governing sexual relationships if your marriage has not been registered beforehand with a Lao embassy.

    Source: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...s/cis_946.html

    If you're in the UK, I'd suggest you contact the nearest Laos Embassy (Paris) by telephone for clarification.

  3. #3
    Laos Expat
    navydoubs1977's Avatar
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    Yeah just found that DB, right pain in the arse!

    It looks like we should have asked permission before marrying even though we married here.
    Have to call the embassy monday.

  4. #4
    Knows fok all
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    Quote Originally Posted by navydoubs1977
    It looks like we should have asked permission before marrying
    I don't read it that way, looks like you just need to register the marriage at an Embassy.

  5. #5
    Laos Expat
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    Yeah might be, we have just phoned all the Laos friends the wife has and all have travelled to Laos after being married in the UK with No issues.

    One hell of a risk to take.

    Will call the embassy Monday and see what needs to be done.

  6. #6
    The Pikey Hunter
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    ^Technically you cant even check into a hotel there together.

  7. #7
    Laos Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gerbil
    ^Technically you cant even check into a hotel there together.
    Yeah i know, as i said, we know people who have done it and not had any issues, but that was for a couple of weeks, not years.

    The hotel isnt too much of an issue as the kids are with us anyway so need 2 rooms, i would be in one with kids and wife in other with other kids, so not like much will be going on there!

    Its when we want a house or such like.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat
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    Even Laosy has given up on the paperwork trail.
    Impossible.

  9. #9
    Laos Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by the dogcatcher
    Even Laosy has given up on the paperwork trail.
    Impossible.
    How do you mean?

  10. #10
    Laos Expat
    navydoubs1977's Avatar
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    Just out of interest how would anyone ever know? If we didnt say anything how would people know how / where we married?

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat
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    Mate, you'll be fine. I circumvented Indonesian law getting married abroad too, you just need to register with them embassy. Bring your marriage certifictae and IDs.

    Quote Originally Posted by navydoubs1977 View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Gerbil
    ^Technically you cant even check into a hotel there together.
    Yeah i know, as i said, we know people who have done it and not had any issues, but that was for a couple of weeks, not years.

    The hotel isnt too much of an issue as the kids are with us anyway so need 2 rooms, i would be in one with kids and wife in other with other kids, so not like much will be going on there!

    Its when we want a house or such like.
    ??? Haven't you heard of a suite or a family room?

  12. #12
    I am in Jail

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gerbil View Post
    ^Technically you cant even check into a hotel there together.
    Why not, took my Thai HO (GF) to Ventien

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat
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    ^2 tourists . no problem .

  14. #14
    I'm in Jail

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    Took me a year and a half to get permission to marry, Then they phoned on a wednesday and told me to turn up on friday for the ceremony , lucky i was in town

  15. #15
    The Pikey Hunter
    Gerbil's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lorenzo View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Gerbil View Post
    ^Technically you cant even check into a hotel there together.
    Why not, took my Thai HO (GF) to Ventien
    Its the locals that it's illegal to shag in Laos if you're not married.

  16. #16
    Laos Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by beerlaodrinker
    Took me a year and a half to get permission to marry, Then they phoned on a wednesday and told me to turn up on friday for the ceremony , lucky i was in town
    Yeah that was my worry. It looks like all we need to do when we get there is register with the embassy and alls fine. Hate to think how much thats going to cost though.

  17. #17
    Laos Expat
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    Im guessing guest house wont bother us too much when we are turning up with 3 kids??

    The reason we are delayed coming is were still waiting for mrs's ILR visa to come back so all docs with them at the mo.

    Just have to see.

  18. #18
    Laos Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sir Wilson
    Mate, you'll be fine. I circumvented Indonesian law getting married abroad too, you just need to register with them embassy. Bring your marriage certifictae and IDs.
    Prob is all docs are away with UK home office and even then nearest embassy is Paris. Just dont have time. Will have to do it all when there.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by navydoubs1977
    The reason we are delayed coming is were still waiting for mrs's ILR visa to come back so all docs with them at the mo.
    When do you intend to make the move?

  20. #20
    Laos Expat
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    As soon as the visa comes back. Should be any day really. HO said a month ago about 4/5 weeks so any day.
    Thats why we dont have time to sort the marriage issue. Our house rent ends on the 4th of Oct and landlord wont allow a day of overstaying so has to be before then, and in Oct Nov and Dec the flights nearly double!

  21. #21
    The Pikey Hunter
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    I'm amazed your moving to Laos with 3 young kids and into a situation with an uncertain future.

    The UK is pretty shit nowadays, but at least there you can get a decent education for the kids - and your missus will probably qualify for a passport there soon as well? Not to mention Child benefits, NHS, etc.

    if it was me, I'd stay there, just for the kids sake until they finish school.
    You, sir, are a God among men....
    Short Men, who aren't terribly bright....
    More like dwarves with learning disabilities....
    You are a God among Dwarves With Learning Disabilities.

  22. #22
    Laos Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gerbil
    I'm amazed your moving to Laos with 3 young kids and into a situation with an uncertain future.

    The UK is pretty shit nowadays, but at least there you can get a decent education for the kids - and your missus will probably qualify for a passport there soon as well? Not to mention Child benefits, NHS, etc.

    if it was me, I'd stay there, just for the kids sake until they finish school.
    Yeah thats always been an issue for us. However the schools we have looked at look no worse or better than they have here. 2 of the kids are only toddlers really so not even at proper school for another 2 years. The eldest is disabled and therefore doesnt attend proper school anyway.

    I agree though it has been playing on our minds. I dont plan on being in laos for more than 2 years. That was always the plan. I have the pension to live on so nothing is that uncertain.

    Regarding mrs passport, i dont think she is that desperate to have it. She will have her ILR before we go (thats another reason we must be back in under 2 years, as it stops after 2 years out of the country) I just asked and no, even if could have it she doesnt want it. Just stay on the ILR

  23. #23
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    I tend to agree with Gerbil, I think you making a massive mistake even if it is just for 2 years. Saying that I do hope it all works out for you.

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat
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    I disagree. I think it'll do them more good than having kindergarten for a couple of years.

  25. #25
    Laos Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by daveboy
    I tend to agree with Gerbil, I think you making a massive mistake even if it is just for 2 years. Saying that I do hope it all works out for you.
    Why? Im not disagreeing just wonder why you think its a mistake? They get to see a family who havent seen them, or not for 5 years anyway. They get to see part of there history and culture, and miss nothing here in the UK?

    If im not working my job will be to teach them everything for 2 years.

    If i am working they are off to school anyway.

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