Planning to marry in the states, what do I need to do in preparation?

Hi all.

My US fiance and I and set the date for the 15 August, and have eventually chosen her home town of Grand Rapids MI. The wedding planning is going quite well so far, but just wondered if there any legal issue I should be aware of.. rather than just turning up and assuming Im able to get married! Plus any tips or advice is always greatfully received.

You need to find out what your state requires.  Go check their website. 

Every state has different things and these can change, so I wouldn't trust my future to someone who got married in MI a few years ago posting on a message board.

Apparently Michigan requires us to get a licence at least 3 days before the event. Will I have to be there in person? I actually get to the US 3 days before the wedding :-0

You will have to contact MI.  We had to get the license three days in PA, but there was an exception you could apply for to get it on the same day.  I have no idea if MI does that, some states don't.

Many thanks... will chase this up.

I would have her ring the recorders office where you will get the license, explain your situation and find out if there are other things you will need.  My county office was great.  For instance, we found out that in our county they required Social Security numbers.  Obviously DH didn't have one, so they advised us to go to the SS office first and get a letter verifying that he didn't have a social security number.  It was a pain, but it did save us last minute panic.  It all ended up being very easy, although they had a lot of fun trying to write the funny Welsh place names on our license.

In my county it was required that we both go to the office to get the license, just FYI.  Find out what's needed and if there is any way to make special arrangements.  You should be able to make it work.

In my county we both had to be there 3 days beforehand, with no exceptions (in PA), so we planned on being their the week before.  My DH had to bring his passport showing he wasn't from the US (thus not having a SS#) and we brought his birth certificate as well (which he didn't need).

Holy Mazoli!

Its someone from Michigan!

No but you will have to make an appointment ahead of time after you get the marriage licence if you plan to get married by a minister. In Michigan it can be a 30 day waiting period.

I phoned a bunch of the churches over there because I am from Grand Haven Michigan and found that the ministers for hire and churches were unhelpful.

Your fiance can come on the visa waiver program (we did this) and stay for up to three months (in Michigan) so there is no need to waste money on the fiance visa for the USA.

You want to make your arrangements ahead of time and if you need any additional info please contact me via email because I am from Michigan and just got married.

More than willing to help in all situations.

Also whomever is going to the UK afterwards (my visa application only took 5 days) make sure you send your information via chicago visas.

Have a nice day!

http://myspace.com/fawnemine

these are my wedding photos at Niagra Falls NY in November

We got married in Boston and we had to go to register 3 days prior to the wedding fill in the forms ect, we had booked the person to come out and marry us he was a nightmare and did not turn up, lucky for us my mom had contacted someone else who she then called and she made an emergency call and we had to go to Plymouth town hall and the man married us there very quickly with hardly any witnesses, the my mom and aunt and family friend dashed to the next county to get our marriage certif for the NYC the next day they stayed open for us when we explained what had happened, I would say please check everything, we were nearly in tears, but now its funny and something to talk about.

Well we have our 2nd wedding aniversary coming up 2nd May 08 it has gone so quickly.

My parents are coming over to see us we think for it.

Good luck. Oh my wife needed her passport for ID.

Indy