Fiancee Visa but marrying in the US?

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by swedey2k

If we were to, say, have a civil ceremony in the US a few weeks before the wedding, then apply for the spouse visa, then have the church ceremony and come to the UK on the spouse visa, would that be OK? They wouldn't see it as fraudulent in any way?

That would be fine, provided the church ceremony is just a symbolic ceremony and not another attempt to marry. It's often called marriage blessing or renewal of vows, and is quite popular in US.

[Oleander77]

Worth mentioning -- if you're doing a civil ceremony, make sure that the certificate they give you is the Extended Version for Foreign Use. Not sure what it's like in every state but in NYC the standard certificate probably wouldn't suffice.

[swedey2k]

Thankyou all so much for your advice.

We are erring towards the civil ceremony option- because she currently lives with her parents and we'd find it a bit weird hanging around her house whilst the visa is processed. and it means I'd need to take less time off work as well

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by swedey2k

Thankyou all so much for your advice.

We are erring towards the civil ceremony option- because she currently lives with her parents and we'd find it a bit weird hanging around her house whilst the visa is processed. and it means I'd need to take less time off work as well

Just to clarify that you are legally married through civil ceremony. If you think only a church (blessing/renewal) ceremony makes you feel being properly married, that's fine, but it has no legal/immigration significance.