Esteettömyystodistus

[Narien]

Hi
I am British (been living in Finland the past two years) and I am getting married in March to a Finn.
Does anyone know/have experience of how to get the esteettömyystodistus - proof of not being married thing, when you are a foreigner in Finland. Can you do it like Finns online or would I have to go to the British embassy or something else? Time is short so I'm trying to get this sorted out as soon as I can. Any help would be really appreciated!

[Upphew]

http://ukinfinland.fco.gov.uk/en/help-f ... nationals/

What we do

We provide a number of services for British nationals residing in Finland and offer help and assistance to travellers:

- Registering births and deaths
- Issuing certificates of no impediment
- Notarial services
- Advice for overseas voters
- Assisting British nationals in difficulty
- Providing a list of local lawyers

[Narien]

http://ukinfinland.fco.gov.uk/en/help-f ... nationals/

What we do

We provide a number of services for British nationals residing in Finland and offer help and assistance to travellers:

- Registering births and deaths
- Issuing certificates of no impediment
- Notarial services
- Advice for overseas voters
- Assisting British nationals in difficulty
- Providing a list of local lawyers

I read that. I was just wondering cause I do have an id number and residence (but it's not the fullest type of permanence)...

[Pursuivant]

And how exactly would the Finnish authorities know of your marital status before you came to Finland? You could be a runaway from the sheik of arabees harem all they know.

[Rip]

Bit improved weblink:
http://ukinfinland.fco.gov.uk/en/help-f ... r-marriage

Before you get married
If you are resident in Finland

If you hold a residence permit and have a permanent Finnish ID-number (henkilötunnus), your local Magistrate (maistraatti) should be able to help you with the documents related to the marriage or civil partnership procedures. Please check with them first.

If you have been issued a temporary ID-number (students etc) or if your marital status cannot be confirmed by the local Magistrate for some reason, you will need to apply for a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) at the British Embassy Consular Section in Helsinki. In order to obtain a CNI you will have to swear or affirm an affidavit or affirmation in front of a Consular Officer. There is a fee payable for this service (see below). You are advised to contact the Consular Section responsible to obtain further advice, and, if applicable, to arrange an appointment for giving notice of marriage.

The documents that you will normally be asked to bring are:

* Your passport
* Copy of your fiancé(e)'s passport
* Evidence of your residence in Finland (21 days before giving notice of intended marriage)
* Divorce decree absolute, if you were married before, or death certificate of your husband/wife, if you are a widow/er
* Should you have ever have changed your name by deed poll, then this document will have to be produced as well

Please note that you must have resided in the consular district for at least 21 days in order to be able to give notice of marriage. Should the marriage take place outside the consular district, the notice of marriage, once it has hung on the notice board for 21 clear days, has to be sent to the Consul responsible for the district you wish to get married in. Provided no objection to your proposed marriage or civil partnership registration is notified to us within 21 clear days from the date you gave your notice of marriage, a certificate of no impediment will be issued to you in both English and Finnish for presentation to the local Magistrate office.

The certificate is valid for 3 months.

Fee

(as of 2 Dec 2010)

The statutory consular fee for this service is EUR 162.00. We accept cash and credit card (Visa or Mastercard) payments.

Please note that when applying for a certificate of no impediment, we will not charge for the certificate until your notice of marriage
has been displayed for 21 calendar days.

Please note that all consular fees are subject to change.

(instructions for UK residents follow)

[Xochiquetzal]

It was easy for me - a US resident. I went to the embassy, swore in front of a notary public, paid $25, and was done. Can't imagine the UK one is that much different.

[Rip]

It was easy for me - a US resident. I went to the embassy, swore in front of a notary public, paid $25, and was done. Can't imagine the UK one is that much different.

The UK residents are apparently capable of producing the document that the Finnish authorities really want and therefore they are required to produce one. US residents can't so the authorities here have considered best to waive the requirement (and merely making you commit perjury under US law if get married here when you were not entitled to)