US citizen wanting to marry a UK citizen

[peppera-ann-]

Originally Posted by Shipresa

Here is from their website. Unlike the LA Embassy, there is no link to Legal or Consultants.

So give them a call, perhaps.

You can glean info from the LA one too - just its not where you'd send your application.

British Consulate-General - Houston

How we can help

The British Consulate General in Houston covers the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. There are additional Consular Representatives in San Antonio TX, Tulsa OK and New Orleans LA. Please direct your first contact through the British Consulate General in Houston.

The Consular Office is open from 9am - 1pm daily.

For assistance, please call 713 659 6270.

Thanks-and yes I found that website. And I found Adviser Finder: The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner and one that is for free immigration advise as well, but they are in uk. Thats why i was wondering if you sent it to someone in uk first to be looked over.
Because as i see on the LA website there is a list of lawyers they give for USA, but on Houstons website they do not list lawyers...grrrr darn it
Thanks!

[Shipresa]

This is my opinion only. I do know that Houston has so many lawyers that deal with emigration and immigration; phone calls cost nothing to see.

We used a freelance agent. This is a person who facilitates visas. I used one (found on Google) for a visa to Burundi from their Embassy in Wash DC, and since I didn't remember the name, googled again for a visa facilitation to Brazil.

Call the embassy in Houston and ask about agents (not lawyers.) An agent merely hand delivers and reviews your packet. You sent your packet to the agent, and he/she takes it to the consul section.

I see no reason at all to send a packet overseas to UK!

Again, if I had to do it again, we'd simply post it directly to the visa section and skip the agent altogether, and save the $200. Settlement visas are more consuming than spouse visa, so its just my opinion that if I had to do it again, I'd forget about the agent all together. But we were so worried about our situation (six months together only; sent in visa application after our US-based wedding.)

[peppera-ann-]

Originally Posted by Shipresa

This is my opinion only. I do know that Houston has so many lawyers that deal with emigration and immigration; phone calls cost nothing to see.

We used a freelance agent. This is a person who facilitates visas. I used one (found on Google) for a visa to Burundi from their Embassy in Wash DC, and since I didn't remember the name, googled again for a visa facilitation to Brazil.

Call the embassy in Houston and ask about agents (not lawyers.) An agent merely hand delivers and reviews your packet. You sent your packet to the agent, and he/she takes it to the consul section.

I see no reason at all to send a packet overseas to UK!

Again, if I had to do it again, we'd simply post it directly to the visa section and skip the agent altogether, and save the $200. Settlement visas are more consuming than spouse visa, so its just my opinion that if I had to do it again, I'd forget about the agent all together. But we were so worried about our situation (six months together only; sent in visa application after our US-based wedding.)

thanks!
ya im just so worried about OVER doing everything!!!! you have been such a great help!
and i cant even imagine the settlement visa (bites nails)...but one thing at a time!!!
Did you adjust well when you moved? your from las vegas ya?
anywho~thanks again!

[Pyretta]

I resubmitted my marriage visitor visa application, the original, and received this in my email:

Please be advised that an Entry Clearance Officer has reviewed your application. The Entry Clearance Officer has assessed that your application is not straightforward and has deferred your case in order to make further enquiries.

Our target time for this process is 10 workings days for most non-settlement applications

Settlement applications may take up to 50 working days.

Please do not contact this office for a status check, as we are unable to provide this service.


There were some things I'd changed once I printed out the application, a couple things I'd forgotten about. But I also provided documentation to support the answer and letters w/each explaining why I'd not put it on the application originally. Could this be why? The only other thing I can think of is that on the question about what I plan to do after the marriage ceremony, I answered apply for settlement. Though I don't see what could be wrong with that answer.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

[Diogenesis]

I'm still finding my way around this site, and have a question, so I thought I'd post it here since it pertains to this.

I am in England on a visitor's Visa from the US and will be returning to the States in March. I've been staying with my girlfriend and we decided to get married before I go back (I WILL be going back in March even though we'll be getting married).

I had assumed I could then apply for a Visa to return as a spouse (she refuses to live in the US, lol, and I don't really blame her) as I tie up lose ends at home and prepare for the move, but from what I've read here that may not be possible.

She has contacted the local 'justice of the peace' (or whatever it's called here) and was told there'd be no problem with us getting married, so now I'm somewhat confused.

Thanks in advance for any information anyone can provide about this.

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by Diogenesis

I'm still finding my way around this site, and have a question, so I thought I'd post it here since it pertains to this.

I am in England on a visitor's Visa from the US and will be returning to the States in March. I've been staying with my girlfriend and we decided to get married before I go back (I WILL be going back in March even though we'll be getting married).

I had assumed I could then apply for a Visa to return as a spouse (she refuses to live in the US, lol, and I don't really blame her) as I tie up lose ends at home and prepare for the move, but from what I've read here that may not be possible.

She has contacted the local 'justice of the peace' (or whatever it's called here) and was told there'd be no problem with us getting married, so now I'm somewhat confused.

This is a bit of a grey area as far as UK is concerned. In 2005, UK instigated a system whereby any non-EU citizen wanting to get married had to get a permission from Home Office to do so. They still do so, but the fee has been abolished and it'savailable to just about anyone legally in UK, including short-term visitors. The only condition is you have enough time left on your visa to obtain a certificate of approval (COA), which currently takes 4 to 7 weeks. You must apply by post, and the form is available to download at UK Border Agency site. If you get married in the Church of England or the Church in Wales, currently you don't require a COA and can go ahead and book your wedding with the clergy straightaway.

Now getting married, whether in UK or abroad, doesn't mean you, the non-EU partner, are able to come over to live in UK, and you have to apply for a marriage (spouse) visa while you are back in the States. As you can read on this and other threads here, it's not a straightforward procedure and you need to collect and submit a dossier of evidence to substantiate your relationship, your marriage and your intentions, and the consulate you apply to have the right, and often do, turn down applications.

It should be pointed out that the COA scheme is designed for those who want to be married in UK but don't intend to settle in UK afterwards. Those who do really need to return to their own country first and then apply for a fiance(e) visa to enable them to marry in UK, or get married abroad and then apply for marriage (spouse) visa as above. While marrying under COA whilst on a visit to UK still makes your marriage valid, you may need to explain why you have changed your mind about not settling in UK. Getting a church marriage in Church of England etc may make this slightly easier. In worst case scenario, you may find yourself unable to live together in either UK or US, and stay separated as a married couple.

[jennieo330]

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...

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..>!

Shipresa, thanks for all this info! I'm in a similar situation, a US citizen planning a wedding to a UK citizen & our hope was to head to the UK immediately after the wedding. I just want to clarify what I'm reading in all these threads:

Really the only thing we can do now, prior to the wedding, is gather all the documents and proof for the spouse visa application. After receiving the certified marriage certificate, we apply and wait an unknown amount of time before I can travel to the UK, assuming I am granted the visa? Is this a correct summary?

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by jennieo330

Really the only thing we can do now, prior to the wedding, is gather all the documents and proof for the spouse visa application. After receiving the certified marriage certificate, we apply and wait an unknown amount of time before I can travel to the UK, assuming I am granted the visa? Is this a correct summary?

Yes, I think so. The UK Border Agency say that processing times for a settlement visa (such as marriage) made in US can be up to 2 months, though around half are decided within 2 weeks. Guide to visa processing times
They vary between visa processing centres, and of course on individual applications, as each receives individual attention. You will reduce it to a minimum by submitting a complete and clearly laid-out dossier, as stated. Whether you want to use an agent to submit your application is up to you. Clearly Shipresa's experience was positive, but this seems to vary.

[Shipresa]

Originally Posted by Joppa

Yes, I think so. The UK Border Agency say that processing times for a settlement visa (such as marriage) made in US can be up to 2 months, though around half are decided within 2 weeks. Guide to visa processing times
They vary between visa processing centres, and of course on individual applications, as each receives individual attention. You will reduce it to a minimum by submitting a complete and clearly laid-out dossier, as stated. Whether you want to use an agent to submit your application is up to you. Clearly Shipresa's experience was positive, but this seems to vary.

Joppa is right. No one here can know anyone's relationship situation, and how you present it in the application is key. All in all, be careful about buying non-changeable plane tickets to the UK, you never know when they'll ask for more info, or want additional documents.

When I started the process research, I found some folks had 2 months plus for processing, so I did have a favorable outcome and turn around. Again, depends on the consulate that processes, the folks who process, a whole gamut of 'depends on.'

So 'depend on' nothing.... its so individual to case.

ETA: you will not be able to leave for UK immediately after the wedding. Your UK husband can, but you cannot as your passport will be with the UK Consulate adjudicating your spouse visa. I did note (as highly strongly recommended by our visa expediter) that I was traveling to the UK on xxx date on my cover letter. Still, even how long it takes for the recorded marriage documents to become available, and your biometrics and the wait, you can't leave 'immediately' after the wedding. You can apply before the wedding, get the biometrics done, but bear in mind you must send your package complete within 14 days of the biometrics, so you must have great faith that the marriage documents will be ready in that time. We could have shortened our timeframe if I'd done that, but I did not. We hit the 'send' application button the day after our wedding, then got my biometrics appointment. Since the biometrics appointment was like 3 weeks into the future, our expediter asked me straight out, why are you waiting!?? GO to the center with your notice and ask NICELY to be squeezed in, as always there is someone not showing up, and be nice about even saying you'll wait around....I was biometric'd within the hour and two days after the wedding. Day three all the paperwork went to the Expediter. Above all, have your dossier complete before the wedding. Then enjoy the wedding!

[jennieo330]

Thank you both, that is very helpful. We are considering just getting the marriage license completed prior to the actual wedding ceremony, in the presence of our officiant as in the state of CO you could even marry yourselves. That way we could get all the information sent off and begin the process before even the "wedding" takes place. See any glitches in that scenario that I'm missing?