I am an New Zealand citizen who married my Japanese wife in the country where we live which is Australia. We married over 10 years ago and have lived in Australia even prior to that and have little to no connection to NZ with a single visit.
My wife has already arrived in Japan for a month already.
We are having difficulty with Question 23 on the COE for a Spouse Visa as they are refusing to even entertain our COE because wr have a Australian Marriage certificate and insist on having a New Zealand style certificate because I have a NZ passport.
The NZ embassy and NZ Birth Marriage and Death department have advised they recognize our Australian marriage and that we are married even going as far as to state that we are not required to register our Australian marriage with them but can't issue us a New Zealand certificate unless we fly to New Zealand and hold a ceremony with a celebrant.
Anyone experienced this situation and any advice?
by Noobedup