What was the marriage process like for you?

My bf and I have decided we will be getting married here in San Diego, California sometime in March. To any of my fellow UKYers did any of you marry in California or in San Diego? If so what were the steps you took and documents you needed to get your marriage license? How long did it take to receive your official license? I just want to know what my bf needs to bring with him on his way over? Also would he need a specific visa to enter the US for the sole purpose of marriage? Thanks in advance

By the looks of the SD County Clerk's office, it should be fairly straightforward. You need to make an appointment to get the marriage license but it's valid immediately and has no residency requirement. A standard non-confidential marriage license costs $50. You'll need to present valid photo IDs for the both of you, a passport or driver's license, so no special paperwork needed. And it's completely legal to be married in the US on the VWP, as long as you don't have the intention to stay in the country afterwards.

OH! Forgot to include the link to the County Clerk's site: http://arcc.co.san-diego.ca.us/services/marriage_licenses.aspx#licenses

Also would he need a specific visa to enter the US for the sole purpose of marriage?

No. If he is not intending to reside in the US after the marriage, he can marry with a VWP.

My bf and I have decided we will be getting married here in San Diego, California sometime in March. To any of my fellow UKYers did any of you marry in California or in San Diego? If so what were the steps you took and documents you needed to get your marriage license? How long did it take to receive your official license? I just want to know what my bf needs to bring with him on his way over? Also would he need a specific visa to enter the US for the sole purpose of marriage? Thanks in advance

Congrats on your engagement! We got married in San Diego last year. Just needed passport or photo ID...I had my CA drivers license and hubby had his British passport. We had our official certificate mailed to our London address, and that took a week or two. I don't really remember. We also confirmed with our immigration lawyer friend that you do not need a special visa to get married, but our friend suggested that we make sure he has proof that he'll be leaving after the wedding and have no intentions of settling in the US immediately after the wedding.

We had the ceremony outside the courthouse and then wedding brunch at the Elephant & Castle pub next door...only because we were going to be living in an area called Elephant & Castle.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

I actually posted a thread asking this same question in the visa section, haha. The woman at the Anderson, SC office gave me a heart attack today saying they only accept fiancé visas. I was like what??

Congrats on your engagement! We got married in San Diego last year. Just needed passport or photo ID...I had my CA drivers license and hubby had his British passport. We had our official certificate mailed to our London address, and that took a week or two. I don't really remember. We also confirmed with our immigration lawyer friend that you do not need a special visa to get married, but our friend suggested that we make sure he has proof that he'll be leaving after the wedding and have no intentions of settling in the US immediately after the wedding.

Congrats and thanks vchpa. It's nice to know I had the right information!

LittleMiss: Glad you enjoyed your trip to Arnold  And congrats.

I'm beating you by a month as ours will be 2/11 - in Diego too. Fun fact is that the licenses issued in California can be used anywhere in the state. Oh, and it's $40 more to apply for the same dang marriage license in LA County. How LA of them.

Congrats! Good luck with the whole process, keep us posted!

Congrats and thanks vchpa. It's nice to know I had the right information!

LittleMiss: Glad you enjoyed your trip to Arnold  And congrats.

I'm beating you by a month as ours will be 2/11 - in Diego too. Fun fact is that the licenses issued in California can be used anywhere in the state. Oh, and it's $40 more to apply for the same dang marriage license in LA County. How LA of them.

Thanks hun much appreciated Yeah LA is truly full of itself LOL Yes you will beating us to the altar, but the earliest I can do it is the begining of March (just in time before those horrid visa changes)

Congrats! Good luck with the whole process, keep us posted!

Aww thank you And will do!

Congrats on your upcomming wedding!

I have no knowledge to impart but OMG i love san diego. Good memories for me in that town and I hope for you as well!!!

Congrats on your engagement! We got married in San Diego last year. Just needed passport or photo ID...I had my CA drivers license and hubby had his British passport. We had our official certificate mailed to our London address, and that took a week or two. I don't really remember. We also confirmed with our immigration lawyer friend that you do not need a special visa to get married, but our friend suggested that we make sure he has proof that he'll be leaving after the wedding and have no intentions of settling in the US immediately after the wedding.

We had the ceremony outside the courthouse and then wedding brunch at the Elephant & Castle pub next door...only because we were going to be living in an area called Elephant & Castle.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

Two days after reading this post I was driving in downtown Diego  (venue searching) and about drove off the road when I saw the Elephant & Castle pub. Small world.

Two days after reading this post I was driving in downtown Diego  (venue searching) and about drove off the road when I saw the Elephant & Castle pub. Small world.

Hehehehe indeed it is a small world