US Same sex marriage & Spain

[chicalteana]

Hi,
I am trying to get confirmation that US same sex marriages are recognized in Spain. A couple of people on expat forum said that SS US marriages are recognized in Spain but a Spanish lawyer in Madrid told me that he didn't think a SS marriage from the US would be recognized as it's not recognized here federally. Maybe it depends on the State/region that you live in in Spain.
Does anyone has any insight on this?

Thanks Kate

[jojo]

Same sex marriages are recognised in Spain!

Jo xxx

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by jojo

Same sex marriages are recognised in Spain!

Jo xxx

But the opposition People's Party have said they will repeal the same-sex marriage law if they get into power at the next election, due in a year's time.

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by Joppa

But the opposition People's Party have said they will repeal the same-sex marriage law if they get into power at the next election, due in a year's time.

so they have...

but what can they do?

make everyone divorce?

they'd have to recognise the marriage first!!

Originally Posted by chicalteana

Hi,
I am trying to get confirmation that US same sex marriages are recognized in Spain. A couple of people on expat forum said that SS US marriages are recognized in Spain but a Spanish lawyer in Madrid told me that he didn't think a SS marriage from the US would be recognized as it's not recognized here federally. Maybe it depends on the State/region that you live in in Spain.
Does anyone has any insight on this?

Thanks Kate

Kate,

You're in Boston - forget asking Spanish lawyers and forums, and head to the Spanish Consulate and ask them! You'll have to legalize your marriage there I'm almost certain anyhow. They're at: 31 Saint James Ave. Suite 905 (Consulado de España en Boston)

One tip, I found in my dealings with the consulate that you get better treatment if you speak Spanish. They have to deal with college students applying for study visas day in and day out, and they understandably seemed to be sick of silly questions in English. The guy was 20 times nicer to me the second I asked him my question in bad Spanish.

Take care and best of luck!



EDIT: Regarding what you said about "depending on the region you're from in Spain," that wouldn't be true. Marriage here is a country wide issue and, to the best of my knowledge, does not vary between Autonomous Communities ("states").

[jojo]

Originally Posted by xabiachica

so they have...

but what can they do?

make everyone divorce?

they'd have to recognise the marriage first!!

.... and then they'd have a fight with European human rights.... !


Jo xxx

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by halydia

Kate,

You're in Boston - forget asking Spanish lawyers and forums, and head to the Spanish Consulate and ask them! You'll have to legalize your marriage there I'm almost certain anyhow. They're at: 31 Saint James Ave. Suite 905 (Consulado de España en Boston)

One tip, I found in my dealings with the consulate that you get better treatment if you speak Spanish. They have to deal with college students applying for study visas day in and day out, and they understandably seemed to be sick of silly questions in English. The guy was 20 times nicer to me the second I asked him my question in bad Spanish.

Take care and best of luck!



EDIT: Regarding what you said about "depending on the region you're from in Spain," that wouldn't be true. Marriage here is a country wide issue and, to the best of my knowledge, does not vary between Autonomous Communities ("states").

yes, that's how I understand it, too

although we did have a judge in Valencia who refused to perform gay marriages - she was 'sidelined' iirc

Originally Posted by xabiachica

yes, that's how I understand it, too

although we did have a judge in Valencia who refused to perform gay marriages - she was 'sidelined' iirc

One judge. Knock on the next judge's door and you'll likely be ok.

[mrypg9]

Originally Posted by jojo

.... and then they'd have a fight with European human rights.... !


Jo xxx

Not necessarily. Each EU member state was given the right to opt out of certain parts of the EU Social Chapter. The UK, for example, has invoked a 'marriage' clause which restricts certain benefits to married couples. A a UK Civil Partnership is not fully equal in status to marriage the UK Government can quite legally enforce discrimination in survivor public sector pension benefits for Civil Partners.
So my OH will receive only a quarter of my pension compared to a widower or widow who would receive roughly half the full amount. Totally unfair and discriminatory but perfectly legal.
Many EU states refuse Civil Partnerships let alone same-sex marriage.
The European Human Rights Act - not different in essence from the United Nations Charter of Human Rights, accepted by most of the world in 1948 - is widely misunderstood in its scope and application.
It is also a bete noire for the right-wing media....although its use was invoked by opponents of the hunting ban.
But then consistency has never been a noted feature of the gutter press.

[jojo]

Originally Posted by mrypg9

Not necessarily. Each EU member state was given the right to opt out of certain parts of the EU Social Chapter. The UK, for example, has invoked a 'marriage' clause which restricts certain benefits to married couples. A a UK Civil Partnership is not fully equal in status to marriage the UK Government can quite legally enforce discrimination in survivor public sector pension benefits for Civil Partners.
So my OH will receive only a quarter of my pension compared to a widower or widow who would receive roughly half the full amount. Totally unfair and discriminatory but perfectly legal.
Many EU states refuse Civil Partnerships let alone same-sex marriage.
The European Human Rights Act - not different in essence from the United Nations Charter of Human Rights, accepted by most of the world in 1948 - is widely misunderstood in its scope and application.
It is also a bete noire for the right-wing media....although its use was invoked by opponents of the hunting ban.
But then consistency has never been a noted feature of the gutter press.

Well if anyone knows the answer to the OPs questions, it'll be you Mary! So your posts on here are invaluable!

Thanks

Jo xxx