Marriage Visa Questions

I need some help please.  I've been reading over old posts, but I need clarification on a few things.  My fiance (British) and I (American) plan to get married here and fly up to NY a few days later to get my visa to go back to the UK with him.  I have a few questions, probably the first of many 

1) I've gotten the list of documents we should bring from the Consulate's website -- i.e., our passports, photos, marriage certificate, evidence of accommodation, evidence of finances, and of course the application -- but is there anything else that anyone recommend we bring?

2) We will be renting a house from his Grandmother.  Would something like a copy of her title deed and a letter from her saying this is going to happen suffice, since there will be no lease?

3) I'm at a loss on the whole fast track thing.  Is this something I should just fill out online, print out and bring with me?  Is it something I should submitt in advance with payment before I make an appointment at the Consulate? Help!

4) On another forum someone reccomended I change all my documents (meaning  I guess my passport) to my married name before applying for my visa to avoid confusion.  I simply won't have time to do this.  Is it really an issue?

Lord, I'm sure I'll come up with more, but any help with these would be greatly appreciated.  We're not even planning on getting married until September, so I know I have time, but I'm already starting to have the occasional freak out. 

Thanks so much,
Jenn

My fiance (British) and I (American) plan to get married here and fly up to NY a few days later to get my visa to go back to the UK with him. 

That's exactly what we did!   

1) I've gotten the list of documents we should bring from the Consulate's website -- i.e., our passports, photos, marriage certificate, evidence of accommodation, evidence of finances, and of course the application -- but is there anything else that anyone recommend we bring?

We just took the stuff that was listed (and our birth certificates, just cause I felt like they might need them).  The full list of what we took is at the link below.

2) We will be renting a house from his Grandmother.  Would something like a copy of her title deed and a letter from her saying this is going to happen suffice, since there will be no lease?

I think that should be alright.  Perhaps get the letter from his grandmother notarised/certified?

3) I'm at a loss on the whole fast track thing.  Is this something I should just fill out online, print out and bring with me?  Is it something I should submitt in advance with payment before I make an appointment at the Consulate? Help!

You can do the fast track ahead of time -- you fill out the application and pay the fee.  Then you'll take your supporting documents when you go to the consulate.  Just my opinion, but I think the fast track is a waste of time if you're going to be heading to the consulate in person.  I don't really see how our experience could have been made much faster!

4) On another forum someone reccomended I change all my documents (meaning  I guess my passport) to my married name before applying for my visa to avoid confusion.  I simply won't have time to do this.  Is it really an issue?

That's a hassle and absolutely not necessary.  Your spousal visa will be issued in your maiden name and will note your husband's name.  We've been married a year and half and I still haven't changed the name in my passport -- and I don't intend to...I'll do it when I renew it in 2008.

Hi Lola!

I think we may have something in common and it looks like you have gone through similar things with regards to visas etc. I am hoping you may have some insight into this....I have already posted something elsewhere on the board, but have copied that and sent it to you..please let me know what you think.

You see we will not qualify for the "certificate of approval" to do it here in the UK....AND I really don't want to have to go back to CA just to get the fiance visa..etc. see below...what do you think?................

 I am from California orig and have been here in the UK with my boyfriend...and now fiance   for just under two years. We have plans for a wedding in Santa Barbara, but can't do it until at least Sept 2005. I was on a Student Visa until recently and have just been granted (WENT TO CROYDON) "limited leave to remain" just to stay here in the UK until our wedding (we did not want to go back to the US to get a fiance Visa - did not know rules while we were there over x-mas - oops!). Obviously I cannot work on this Visa or come and go anywhere out of the UK (if I do..it is not good anymore)...so it's a bit frustrating and I really would love to be able to work in the meantime. So...we are debating running off to NY or LA and doing a "secret" "paperwork" marriage and then still continuing on with our wedding plans (ceremony and reception) in Sept in Santa Barbara CA. Sneaky huh?  Only parents will know. It's either this or we elope earlier to the Caribbean   and then have receptions to follow in the UK and US. Both are options...Anyhow...that is besides the point.

I have called the Embassy and it is so hard to get through...and when I DID....they were very vague and to be honest NOT very helpful at all.

So..my question is to anyone who has been in a similar situation or who may know...about both NY and LA Embassy's procedures : FIRST CHOICE - We would like to try and go to NY for about 5 days, have a civil ceremony at the city clerk's office (license and marraige) and then go straight to the NY Embassy (Obviously with appts.) to apply (and hopefully GET) my Spouse Visa stamp. Has anyone done this? If so, was it issued the same day? We would need to have it before returning to the UK. I am also concerened about THIS : I am from SF, ca orig and so that is where all my records are, Can a "California" resident (before living in the UK here on Student or Leave to Remain visas) complete all this in NY? Or am I sopposed to do all this in LA...does it matter? Confusing! I was told two different things when speaking to NY...and we are not sure if we should chance it...if we would just be told "you need to go to LA actually" once we were there.

Seconed Choice - would be LA... - anyone familiar with LA's waiting time and procedures etc?

Thanks so much & hopefully this made sense!

I appreciated it!

Kirstin

I can absolutely understand why you're wanting to do the "sneaky" marriage -- it must be frustrating to be here with nothing to do and no way in or out!   

I don't know for sure that you can apply at the NYC consulate, since you're from CA.  I would guess that you could use the NYC consulate since your present address is in the UK and you're currenty on LLR/FLR here.  Still, that's just a guess -- I would suggest you email the NYC consulate to ask -- they're good about responding to emails and might be a bit clearer than they were on the phone!  I mean, lots of people have "destination" weddings, so it'd make sense that you should be able to apply through the consulate closest to your destination. 

If you apply in person (at any of the consulates) and you've got your stuff in order, you'll have your visa in a matter of hours.  I don't know about the LA consulate's times specificially, but most people on here who apply by post seem to have their visas in 2-4 weeks.

You say you want to be in NYC for 5 days -- you'll need to make sure you can apply for the marriage license so close to the wedding.  I'd hate for you to show up 5 days before your spousal visa appointment and be told that there's a 10 day waiting period for your license!