Process for a US citizen to marry a UK citizen in the UK

[laurenmat 2]

Hi there,

Not sure if I am posting this in the right section but have been told post it here.

I am engaged to a US citizen and we would like to marry in the U.K as I am eventually going to live out there with him so my family want the wedding here.

I am not sure if he needs some sort of Visa in order to marry me here?

Thank you

Lauren

[LeftCoastLady 441]

He won't need a visa, but there is a process for getting the marriage registered: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/while-in-uk/marriageandcivilpartnership/

Be sure to read up on how to obtain proof of the marriage since he'll need that to start the petition for a spousal visa for you.

[UK-USA-K1 128]

It's not impossible to do, but it can be done. There are some hurdles though, and one of which is the requirement for the person to be physically in the country for a pre determined amount of time (I think it's 3 weeks but am not certain as we opted not to go this route after looking into it).

Here's some links to help you:

This link from the UK Border Agency:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/

Visiting for other reasons

If you want to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK, and you intend to leave the UK soon after the ceremony, you should apply to come here as a visitor for marriage or civil partnership. If you want to live in the UK after you get married, see the Partners and families section.

The link that it refers to in that quote takes you here:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/while-in-uk/marriageandcivilpartnership/

Can you get married or register a civil partnership?

This page explains who can get married or register a civil partnership in the UK, and which visa you will need if you and/or your partner are currently outside the UK.

Giving notice with a registrar

This page explains what you need to do before you can marry or register a civil partnership in the UK.

Those links are here:

Can you get married or register a civil partnership?

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/while-in-uk/marriageandcivilpartnership/eligibility/

Giving notice with a registrar

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/while-in-uk/marriageandcivilpartnership/registrar/

I hope you find this information helpful. Congrats and only Best Wishes to you

[Owen_London 65]

He won't need a visa, but there is a process for getting the marriage registered: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/while-in-uk/marriageandcivilpartnership/

Be sure to read up on how to obtain proof of the marriage since he'll need that to start the petition for a spousal visa for you.

Yes, he will need a visa. A fiance visa.

Linked directly under "Can you get married or register a civil partnership" on the page you linked:

If one or both of you are abroad

If either partner is not already in the UK, they will need to obtain a visa before they come to the UK to marry or register their civil partnership, unless they:

• are a British citizen; or
• are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, or the family member of a national of the EEA who has the right of residence in the UK; or
• have a certificate of entitlement in your passport, giving them the right to live in the UK; or
• are not subject to immigration control.

The visa that you need will depend on how long you intend to stay in the UK:

• If you will be coming to the UK for a short time, and you plan to leave the UK soon after the ceremony, you must obtain a visa as a visitor for marriage or civil partnership. See the Visitors for marriage or civil partnership section.
• If you are planning to come to the UK to get married or register a civil partnership with someone who is already settled or settling here, and you want to stay in the UK afterwards, you will need to obtain a visa as a fiance(e) or proposed civil partner. Both you and your partner must be aged 18 or over, and you will need to show evidence that you plan to marry or register your civil partnership within 6 months of your arrival. See the Fiance(e)s and proposed civil partners section.

In addition, if marrying in England and Wales, giving notice at a register office requires you both to have been resident in England and Wales for the preceding seven full days (midnight to midnight). You have to give notice at least 16 days and at most one year before the wedding. Since he will be subject to immigration control, you would have to give notice at a "designated" register office, which only some of them are.

Rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland are a bit different, and I think very slightly easier, but I don't remember the details.

Edited June 6, 2013 by Owen_London

[*Snowdrop* 604]

I did it this way back in 2007 and the process hasn't changed a lot since then.

The first thing is to know where in the UK you are going to get married as a previous poster has mentioned there are different rules for Scotland and N.Ireland than England and Wales.

There are also different rules in England and Wales for church vs civil wedding service.

Your fiance will need a special visa for all situations though. It doesn't usually take very long to get this visa (unlike the US system) but there are still requirements from you as the 'sponsor' to fill out and provide. And there's a fee of course for the visa.

We did a civil ceremony in England and were subject to the 7 day residency issue. The way we dealt with this was to have the USC come over in April for 8 days to register. We used that week to work on wedding plans etc so it wasn't a wasted vacation.

And then he came back for the wedding in July.

It was an extra layer of hassle for the whole process but I am so glad we did it that way, it gave my family the chance to have this wonderful wedding in the UK before I emigrated.

If you don't mind where you get married in the UK then Scotland is a good option as you don't have to do the 7-day residency there (I think, but check that out if you want to go that way)

[B & G 200]

For some reason unknown to me, European countries try to make it as difficult as possible for a foreigner to get married there! From reading the above responses about the procesure of obtaining a marriage licence in the UK, though I might tell you what I did.

To obtain a marriage license here in Greece is just as complicated as it is in the UK. My parents wanted the marriage to happen in Greece for the same reason as yours. But for us to get the Greek licence we would have had to jump through so many hoops it was unbelievable!

So we compromised. Obtaining a marriage license in the US is a hell of alot easier. I flew to the US in April, got married at our county's courthouse to get the legal side of things out of the way and then flew back to Greece, to plan a big proper wedding which is happening end of July.

[*Snowdrop* 604]

For some reason unknown to me, European countries try to make it as difficult as possible for a foreigner to get married there! From reading the above responses about the procesure of obtaining a marriage licence in the UK, though I might tell you what I did.

To obtain a marriage license here in Greece is just as complicated as it is in the UK. My parents wanted the marriage to happen in Greece for the same reason as yours. But for us to get the Greek licence we would have had to jump through so many hoops it was unbelievable!

So we compromised. Obtaining a marriage license in the US is a hell of alot easier. I flew to the US in April, got married at our county's courthouse to get the legal side of things out of the way and then flew back to Greece, to plan a big proper wedding which is happening end of July.

Actually that is a great solution to the problem and also allows you to send in your US spousal visa forms asap and your wait after your July marriage party will be much shorter to enter the US.

I thought about that but had this weird sentimental thing about the actual 'marriage moment' taking place in the UK.

But much more logical to do a quick wedding in the US before the wedding party in your home country.

[B & G 200]

Actually that is a great solution to the problem and also allows you to send in your US spousal visa forms asap and your wait after your July marriage party will be much shorter to enter the US.

I thought about that but had this weird sentimental thing about the actual 'marriage moment' taking place in the UK.

But much more logical to do a quick wedding in the US before the wedding party in your home country.

That is exactly what we have done. My husband is sending the I-130 package out today, whole 50 pages of it!

I know what you mean about the 'marriage moment' sentiment. For me it wasn't so much where the wedding will take place, but who will be there. My husband knew it cost me alot not to have my family and friends there, so he didn't invite anyone from his side to attend. It was just me and him and his nephew who acted as our witness and photographer.

He said since I can't have anyone there, neither will he and that once I move there we will have a big party for his family and friends. He sacrifised having his family around him and I love him even more for that!

[Owen_London 65]

Actually that is a great solution to the problem and also allows you to send in your US spousal visa forms asap and your wait after your July marriage party will be much shorter to enter the US.

Agreed, I think that's generally the better option for many reasons.

Depending on how you do it, it can be much cheaper, too, because venues and supplies in the UK hike up their prices for weddings, so having a "family party" instead of a wedding could be much cheaper.