THANKS to Voices highlighting the trouble that couples were facing in Didim in their attempts to marry, the problem of an extended paperchase has now been solved.

Nationals living in the UK 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 learned that couples applying to Didim in recent weeks were still being packed off to Izmir for an unnecessary trip.

After we highlighted the story, the British Consulate in Izmir spoke to the Registrar, and separately, the chief Wedding Registrar for Turkey, issued an internal note to all registrars advising them of the new rules.

Via the local council, the registrar has confirmed that the new laws for foreign couples are now being applied and that visit to Izmir is no longer needed.

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.