COUPLES looking to get married in Didim this summer are apparently falling foul of an old law – when in fact new laws should be making it easier.

UK nationals wanting to get married in Didim under the old law used to have to get a certificate of non–impediment in the UK. When they travelled to Turkey they would have to take this to the British Consulate in Izmir to get it translated and stamped.

However, a new system was introduced on March 1 this year that should have made it easier.

Couples now need to complete a bilingual affirmation form and their oath/affirmation should be administered by a local Public Notary in the UK and legalised by the Foregn Commonwealth Office Legalisation Department.

On travelling to Turkey, they would simply submit this document to the local Marriage Office in the town where they are going to get married.

But Voices has learned of at least three couples in recent weeks being told at the Marriage Office that under the laws, they still have to go to Izmir. Effectively, they are being told the old law, rather than the office accepting the new laws.

It has left couples now weighing up what to do and trying convince the registrar’s officials of the new laws.

Voices was attempting to speak to the local registrar’s office to get the matter cleared up, before more couples begin to flow into Didim to get married.

Resident in Turkey and getting married

Under the new rules, if you are resident in Turkey, couples need to complete the bilingual affirmation form and book an appointment at the British Embassy Ankara or consulates in Istanbul, Izmir or Antalya for administering their oath/affirmation.

The document must be legalised by the Turkish Authorities, either by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara or the Governor in Istanbul, Izmir, or Antalya.

Once the document is legalised it should be submitted to the local marriage office where they are going to get married.