US citizen wanting to marry a UK citizen

[Shipresa]

Originally Posted by babystace806

Is it true that in order for my fiancee to get married over here in the US, he has to come over on some special visa? I called immigration and a woman I spoke to said, no. But a friend of mine said he needs some petition. I thought he didn't need a special visa, as he is not residing here after we're married. I'm moving to the UK with him. Someone, please help me out here. I'd really appreciate it.

If your fiancee is a citizen of the countries in the VWP visa waiver programmer, then no, she/he can come to USA and do as they wish (including get married!)

If they aren't a VWP citizen, then they'll need a tourist or some such visitor visa.

My now husband is a UK citizen and we have no intentions to live in USA nor does he plan for a spouse visa to USA. He came as a normal 'tourist' visitor.... (prior to VWP he of course needed nothing whatsoever to come visit the US...)

[izzysmum04]

Shipresa is correct, your fiance does not need any sort of special visa to marry you in the US. His return ticket to the UK is proof that he has no intention of staying. That was all that my hubby needed when he came over for our wedding.

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by izzysmum04

His return ticket to the UK is proof that he has no intention of staying.

It's certainly a proof, but not much of one since it is a requirement for VWP travel. I'd add a little more to be safe. Links such as a job and home to return to are good. Also, a working knowledge of how you are going to get your US spouse to the UK could tip a suspicious CBP officer in your favor.

[ElleM]

Originally Posted by Shipresa

I received my spouse visa on June 3, 2009.

We married on 17 May, my biometrics were done on 20 May, and finalizing all the docs (we had to wait 5 days for the certified marriage certificate), applied for the spouse visa on June 2 (via an agent who hand carried the docs after his professional review). June 3, the visa was placed in my passport.

Can you tell me who the agent/company was that you used for this?? I am in the same situation, but am getting married here in London through COA-- but since I'm on a visitor visa I must return to US to apply for Marriage Visa (what a mess! ) Obviously I want to get it done as quickly as possible so that I can come back to UK to be with my soon to be husband!!
Thanks

[ElleM]

Also can someone please breakdown the steps of the process for me? We're getting married here next week then I'm returning to US. I'm wondering what to expect upon return to US. I know I must fill out the application online, but after that I heard there is an interview? Do I send in all my supporting documents and visa application and then go to the interview? Or is the interview prior? Bit confused...
Just want to make sure that I prepare properly from here before getting there and realizing that I can't get it done in the period of time that I'm planning!
Thanks

[Davis1]

Originally Posted by ElleM

Also can someone please breakdown the steps of the process for me? We're getting married here next week then I'm returning to US. I'm wondering what to expect upon return to US. I know I must fill out the application online, but after that I heard there is an interview? Do I send in all my supporting documents and visa application and then go to the interview? Or is the interview prior? Bit confused...
Just want to make sure that I prepare properly from here before getting there and realizing that I can't get it done in the period of time that I'm planning!
Thanks

There are plenty of family based immigration web sites..some with flow charts that go thru the whole procedure step by step
If you get lost hire a lawyer ..not a time to get lost

[Shipresa]

I sent a private message to you, Elle - of the agent in Los Angeles I used. But I wasn't thinking that you may not fall in that jurisdiction...

Anyhow, once married, we did this.

1. Get your certified marriage certificate. Be sure that it is the true one, not the souvenir type that you get when done. We were married in USA, so I'm not sure of the registry process and time involved here - ours took 10 days to be recorded by the county clerk then given to us with stamp and everything.
2. You may know this, but UK and US don't require Certificates of Non-impediment. I was surprised that they didn't even list proof of prior divorces either.
3. We waited until we were married to do the application online as opposed to before the marriage. So the day after, I sent the online. Upon payment, you get to select your closest biometrics location, then set up an appointment. When I did that, to my dismay, my biometrics was 3 weeks hence. But I took the first one.
4. Once your biometrics are done, you have 2 weeks to submit all your paperwork.
5. I used an agent, so called to say when my biometrics was, and he flipped. He said get up tomorrow morning, GO TO THE SITE, and ask NICELY to be wedged in as I was flying soon. (I wasn't, but ok.) I went to the site, and they were so NICE. I also learned to get there about 5 minutes after each hour as they'll know how may folks are in line for that hour. I got that at almost 10 past and looked like a lot of folks didn't show up - and I glanced at the lists - most were lunchtime and afternoon, so I'd try this in the morning time.
6. Had biometrics done. Then finished up documents to send.

A few things we learned:
1. If you can't send your husband's passport, send his ORIGINAL birth certificate. I realize they say this isn't needed, but we were told it helped the UK embassy in Los Angeles in researching if he's truly a British citizen.
2. It doesn't matter if your passport is in maiden or married name. If I'd had my passport done to my married name, I'd have to delay the spouse visa process by a month or more. My spouse visa is in my passport with maiden name, and I've a new passport with married. I'll carry both for these two years.
3. Document, document. Show joint bank statements, credit card statements, your addition to his council tax bills, and his bank, salary, mortgage, deeds, etc. Upon suggestion, we had two friends do character letters attesting to a love marriage for family and children (do all you can to show this isn't a marriage for other reasons - they watch for tax dodgers, people who want EU/UK work visas, etc.) and a letter from his employer with his salary, performance and support of this visa business.
4. Pictures of you with his family and him with your family.
5. Travel stubs, things you do together as a COUPLE - more proof this is a love marriage, not a convenience marriage.
6. We did a narrative in two voices how we met, our life goals, and why we want to live in UK and have our family here. To support that, we put in our doctor's results for gyno, urology, etc. (ok, extreme, but it was a part of our life together AND we did get our visa in a day!)

One big thing was - reduce the stress and start your documentation file. Make it easy for the visa examiner - table of contents, foot notes to supporting evidence (our narrative looked like a research paper, footnoting location of document to support nearly every statement we made, from ticket stubs to concerts in Glasgow), anything to be neat, prepared and serious. Don't think any paper isn't relevant - a sperm analysis appeared to be the thing they found most serious about our marriage for love.

We stressed out too much...but be sure you take it all with you to US - we didn't know that his birth certificate was so important - we had to get it couriered to us before the package went in. (We had his passport copy notarized in US - I recommend a certified copy from your solicitor instead.)

We paid an agent $200 for his trouble, time, advice and going to the UK Embassy with our paperwork in hand. We felt it truly worth the money.

Enjoy your wedding..>!

[ElleM]

Originally Posted by Shipresa

I sent a private message to you, Elle - of the agent in Los Angeles I used. But I wasn't thinking that you may not fall in that jurisdiction...

I would love to respond to your private message and continue chat that way, but I cannot figure out how to do it!!! Help please!

[IckleKitten]

Hello, everyone.
These posts have been very helpful and informative, but I'm still slightly confused about a few things.. Well, basically, I'm an American, and my fiancee is an English boy, about to move to Scotland for college - but still in the UK regardless.

He plans on visiting here again for Christmas for a couple weeks. He will have a round trip ticket and all (so yes, a planned return date) However, sometime after his return, I'd like to join him in the UK.
The problem is, I've read there's a new rule regarding the particular visa, where for a British person to marry a foreigner, they must both be 21 years or older. Does this mean -only- if they're getting married in the UK? Or can we get married in America? I guess my question is, if we can get married in the states, once it's said and done, can I qualify for the spouse visa?

If this is a way around that silly rule, then great! If not, are there any other ways around it since time is sort of an issue..? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Minuvweyna]

The new rule is, I believe, quite firm. You and your husband must both be 21 or older at the time when you apply for the spouse visa. This is for all spouse visas, regardless of where you marry. You may marry before you are both 21, but cannot apply to join him until you are. UK Border Agency | Husbands, wives and civil partners

If you are close to turning 21 (or he is or both) then a fiance visa might help, since I do not believe there is an age limitation on that visa. UK Border Agency | Fiance(e)s and proposed civil partners It would give you 6 months to live in the UK with him (though you cannot work on a fiance visa, so he would need to be able to support you, or you would need enough savings or help from family to support yourself without working). You must marry and apply for a spouse visa at the end of the 6 months. You would need to be 21 by then.

If you are much younger than the requirement you might consider applying to go to school in Scotland as well (the education is well respected though would be expensive for you). As a student you may work up to 20 hours a week while studying full time (you must study full time on the visa). If you were doing an undergraduate degree it would give you 3 years. UK Border Agency | Adult students

Best of luck,
Elizabeth