Marrying in the US, but returning to the UK - is it possible?

[username999 4]

Hi everyone! A long time lurker, first time poster here. I'm so sorry if this is the incorrect thread for my query, I wasn't quite sure where my question would fit.

 

I am from the United Kingdom, and my fiance lives in Michigan, USA. On my next visit to her in the States we would like to get married in the USA, though I will be returning back to the UK soon afterwards. The reason for this is to allow us more time to save, and in the future apply for a CR1 spouse visa later down the line so that when I do eventually live in the US, I will hopefully be able to start work faster than if I were on a K1 as neither of us have much disposable income. 

 

Does anyone know how we would go about getting married? Would I need to apply for a special visa before travelling to the US? I know for the other way around, if we were to marry in the UK, my partner would need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa before coming here, but I didn't know if there was something similar the other way around? I'm so sorry if this sounds very uneducated! We are so unsure where to start and so overwhelmed by information! 

[Crazy Cat 41,886]

No special visa needed if you are going to return.  @Loren Y can marry you in Las Vegas.  He offers this free service to VJ members.

[mushroomspore 3,044]

25 minutes ago, username999 said:

Hi everyone! A long time lurker, first time poster here. I'm so sorry if this is the incorrect thread for my query, I wasn't quite sure where my question would fit.

 

I am from the United Kingdom, and my fiance lives in Michigan, USA. On my next visit to her in the States we would like to get married in the USA, though I will be returning back to the UK soon afterwards. The reason for this is to allow us more time to save, and in the future apply for a CR1 spouse visa later down the line so that when I do eventually live in the US, I will hopefully be able to start work faster than if I were on a K1 as neither of us have much disposable income. 

 

Does anyone know how we would go about getting married? Would I need to apply for a special visa before travelling to the US? I know for the other way around, if we were to marry in the UK, my partner would need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa before coming here, but I didn't know if there was something similar the other way around? I'm so sorry if this sounds very uneducated! We are so unsure where to start and so overwhelmed by information! 

No such thing as a "marriage visitor visa". Foreigners are allowed to enter the USA as a regular tourist for the purpose of getting married and then exiting. As a UK citizen, you don't even need to apply for a tourist visa since the UK is under VWP (Visa Waiver Program): https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-waiver-program/

[Boiler 45,525]

Some years ago the UK instituted such a visa, the US has not and I doubt it ever will  as marriage is a State issue.

 

No problem with what you are suggesting and file as soon as you can as it is a looooong process and plenty of time to save.

[username999 4]

Thank you everyone! That's great news, and a bit of worry off of our plate! We'll just be doing a simple courthouse ceremony first time around so hopefully it will all be quite straightforward then

[Redro 4,611]

3 hours ago, username999 said:

Hi everyone! A long time lurker, first time poster here. I'm so sorry if this is the incorrect thread for my query, I wasn't quite sure where my question would fit.

 

I am from the United Kingdom, and my fiance lives in Michigan, USA. On my next visit to her in the States we would like to get married in the USA, though I will be returning back to the UK soon afterwards. The reason for this is to allow us more time to save, and in the future apply for a CR1 spouse visa later down the line so that when I do eventually live in the US, I will hopefully be able to start work faster than if I were on a K1 as neither of us have much disposable income. 

 

Does anyone know how we would go about getting married? Would I need to apply for a special visa before travelling to the US? I know for the other way around, if we were to marry in the UK, my partner would need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa before coming here, but I didn't know if there was something similar the other way around? I'm so sorry if this sounds very uneducated! We are so unsure where to start and so overwhelmed by information! 

We got married in Michigan and it was a fairly straightforward process. 

It has probably changed with COVID. But, we did a walk-in, paid an extra fee to waive the waiting period and got married same day. I used my passport for identification and didn't need any other paperwork (as it was my first marriage).

We didn't bring any witnesses so people from the office signed for us. But, the couple marrying before us brought some guests so I'm sure you can do that, too (they also made an appointment so they got married before us). 

I returned to Korea a couple of weeks later. 

Edited January 9, 2022 by Kor2USA

[iwannaplay54 985]

3 hours ago, username999 said:

Thank you everyone! That's great news, and a bit of worry off of our plate! We'll just be doing a simple courthouse ceremony first time around so hopefully it will all be quite straightforward then

It usually is.  Have your fiance check the laws in the state, make sure you have everything you need before you leave.

If there’s a waiting period pick a state that doesnt have one.  Nevada being one.

Edited January 9, 2022 by iwannaplay54

[TBoneTX 45,304]

When U.S. CBP asks you the purpose of your visit, avoid giving the impression that you're going to stay.  If you mention marriage, consider saying something like, "My fiancee and I have determined that the CR-1 visa is superior to the K-1, so I'm going to marry her in the U.S. and return to the UK while the I-130 petition is processed."

 

Others here might have better or further advice.

[Loren Y 2,755]

On 1/8/2022 at 4:06 PM, username999 said:

Hi everyone! A long time lurker, first time poster here. I'm so sorry if this is the incorrect thread for my query, I wasn't quite sure where my question would fit.

 

I am from the United Kingdom, and my fiance lives in Michigan, USA. On my next visit to her in the States we would like to get married in the USA, though I will be returning back to the UK soon afterwards. The reason for this is to allow us more time to save, and in the future apply for a CR1 spouse visa later down the line so that when I do eventually live in the US, I will hopefully be able to start work faster than if I were on a K1 as neither of us have much disposable income. 

 

Does anyone know how we would go about getting married? Would I need to apply for a special visa before travelling to the US? I know for the other way around, if we were to marry in the UK, my partner would need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa before coming here, but I didn't know if there was something similar the other way around? I'm so sorry if this sounds very uneducated! We are so unsure where to start and so overwhelmed by information! 

As @Crazy Cat has mentioned,  I can get you married with certificate in hand in an hour or less. It does require a trip to Las Vegas.  But, out of Detroit that is a cheap round trip ticket.  Message me with any questions.