$(function() {
    $('input[type="submit"]').click(function() {
        //$('#theform').submit()
        document.getElementById('theform').submit()
    })

    $('#theform').submit(function(e) {
        alert(0)
        e.preventDefault()
    })
})

<form id="theform">
    <input type="text"  id="fname" />
    <input type="text"  id="lname" />
    <input type="text"  id="country" />
</form>
<input type="submit" />