getting married in the US

just a quick one to make sure that i've got this right .... We don't need a visa for my fiance the brit to get married to me in america ...

here's the kicker ... if any of you night owls are up ... the office in georgia has already closed and i can't find out if we can get married there or not -- because i don't know if he will have to have a social security number?  I saw that somewhere on some website that some states require that -- or a K1 visa ... what the devil is that ... thought we didn't need a visa?  so just a little confused ... too much information in the past few days i guess ...

thanks ...

I'm not an expert, but I've been researching visas for a year now.  It's ALL crazy, I know...but thankfully everyone on this site is awesome.

SOoo....the K1 visa is only if you're settling in the US.  That is the US's spousal visa.  Are you planning on living in the States OR in the UK? 

If you're planning on living in the UK, you don't need a visa to get married in the States.  It's perfectly legal as long as you DO NOT settle here.  Then, after getting all the supporting documents together (you and your fiance need to send in stuff), you would apply for a spousal visa.  Whatever you do, do NOT purchase a plane ticket before your visa is approved.  Lots of people make that mistake and lose money in changing flights, etc.

IF, by chance, you're planning on settling in the US, you will have to file for a fiance visa for your fiance.  Then, once you two get married, you will have to file for the K1 visa (the spousal one).  During the K1 process, your SO will not be allowed to work.

There are MANY different options you can go......it's crazy....lol.  But worth it in the end.

He doesn't need a visa to marry in the US, or an SS#.  Requirements vary in different states, but this is a nationwide policy.

Seconding the advice here--I told the clerk that my fiance was British and just coming over to get married before heading back home to the UK, and it's perfectly legal, and no SS# is needed. All you'll need (at least as far as I know) is his passport (showing a valid visitor's visa), birth certificate, and divorce papers if he's been married before just so they know that he's not still married in the UK. You only need to get prior visas if you guys are planning on settling down in the US.

Seconding the advice here--I told the clerk that my fiance was British and just coming over to get married before heading back home to the UK, and it's perfectly legal, and no SS# is needed. All you'll need (at least as far as I know) is his passport (showing a valid visitor's visa), birth certificate, and divorce papers if he's been married before just so they know that he's not still married in the UK. You only need to get prior visas if you guys are planning on settling down in the US.

Agree with Kittenfish.

My Brit husband came over and we married at the courthouse...its a very easy process.

Songbird, you guys are good to go!

PS - No worries either when he comes through immigration at the airport.

Best wishes

SOoo....the K1 visa is only if you're settling in the US.  That is the US's spousal visa. 

The K1 is the fiance(e) visa, not a spousal visa. It only allows the recepient to marry in the US with the intent of adjusting status there.

thanks again to everyone for coming to the rescue yet again ... we are going to be settling in scotland ...

about the plane tickets ...  i am gonna book my flight back as it is cheaper to buy the round trip ... but in saying that i know the visa might take longer than i have allowed and if it does, then I will bite the bullet ... but I save almost £400 by booking a return and not a one way ... isn't that mental?

will keep you all posted.

Not a good idea to book the flight before you have the visa.

Vicky

well ... i was gonna book them today ... If it's because of losing the ticket, it's just the round trip cost less than one way ... so even if i waste the other half of the ticket I still save money. but if there is some reason that it might effect the outcome of my visa let me know. I just was trying to save a few more pennies. thanks

It won't affect the outcome of your application, it's just that there's no guarantee you'll have your visa before the date you're set to travel, so you risk losing money on a ticket you can't use. 

thanks historyenne and vicky -- the thing is the only reason i was getting the round trip is that is was cheaper by about £400 than the one way ticket ... doesn't make sense does it, but it's true.  funny isn't it ... least it was true yesterday on expedia.

That's often the case.  There's nothing wrong with buying a round trip instead of a one way ticket, just don't buy it until you've got your visa 

It won't affect the outcome of your application, it's just that there's no guarantee you'll have your visa before the date you're set to travel, so you risk losing money on a ticket you can't use. 

Also, what happens if for some reason your visa is refused (not saying it will happen, but just in case) and you are not able to travel at all? You will have paid for a flight that you will not be able to travel on.

The round trip will probably still cost less than a one-way ticket anyway, whether you buy it now or wait until after your visa is granted. The problem with booking now is that if you don't get the visa in time, you may have to pay again for another round trip if you lose the money from the first one.

we're flying to america to get married so i have to get the tickets to meet there in georgia to get married to even apply for the the visa!  *smile* Sorry i wasn't clear about having to go there to get married.