You will know from recent press reports that this remains an issue of major concern. The House of Bishops has recently issued advice on the subject, and I attach the following (which can also be found and downloaded from the Diocesan Website at www.london.anglican.org/regulations/marriage) :
- An explanatory note from the Diocesan Registrar
- Guidance from the House of Bishops
- Guidance from the UK Border Agency
- The recommended form of questionnaire for completion by applicants seeking marriage in Church by Common Licence.
I commend the enclosed advice to you. Please read it carefully. As you will see, the clear recommendation is that, in the case of marriages involving a non-EEA national, a Common Licence should normally be sought. In this Diocese it has for some time been the policy that all non-British nationals, regardless of their country of origin, should normally be married by Common Licence. This policy remains.
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