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Topic: What was the marriage process like for you?  (Read 1461 times)

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What was the marriage process like for you?
« on: September 26, 2011, 03:50:57 AM »
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 ;)
Met at 2012 London Olympics| Engagement 4-25-13| Married 7-30-13| Hired immigration lawyer 9-13 (waste of time)| Applied for Spousal Visa online 12-27-13| Biometrics completed 1-2-14| Spousal & dependent visas submitted 1-10-14| Application is being processed email 1-13-14| Decision has been made email 1-21-14| Received approved visas 1-24-14| Arrived in London 3-9-14 YAY!!


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Re: What was the marriage process like for you?
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2011, 05:21:45 AM »
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.


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Re: What was the marriage process like for you?
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2011, 05:25:45 AM »
OH! Forgot to include the link to the County Clerk's site: http://arcc.co.san-diego.ca.us/services/marriage_licenses.aspx#licenses


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Re: What was the marriage process like for you?
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2011, 08:20:24 AM »
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.

August 2008 - Tier 4 - Student Visa
February 2010 - Tier 1 - PSW
January 2012 - FLR(M)
June 2014 - ILR (finally!)


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Re: What was the marriage process like for you?
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2011, 08:27:52 AM »
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!


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Re: What was the marriage process like for you?
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2011, 09:31:23 PM »
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??
Met Online: Jan 2010
Became a Couple: Feb 2010
Met in person: June 2010
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Hubby's 2nd trip to the US: Oct 2010
Failed trip due to accident: Feb 2011
Married: 15th of October, 2011
Applying for Visa: Sept/Aug 2012


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Re: What was the marriage process like for you?
« Reply #6 on: September 27, 2011, 08:45:59 AM »
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.
Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.  A. Lincoln

09/09: Met in San Diego
09/09-04/11: 9 trips, 1000 hours of Skype, a billion IMs
04/11-08/11: Successfully lived under the same roof in the UK
08/11: Engaged
02/11/12: Wedding in San Diego
03/12/12: Submitted online application
03/16/12: Biometrics appointment, documents sent
3/28/12: Spousal visa issued!
4/24/12: Moved to UK
6/24/14: Passed Life in the UK test
7/3/14: Submitted SET (M) in person via Premium Service
7/7/14: BRP received via courrier! I'


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Re: What was the marriage process like for you?
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2011, 04:50:27 AM »
Congrats! Good luck with the whole process, keep us posted!


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Re: What was the marriage process like for you?
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2011, 07:10:09 PM »
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) :P
Met at 2012 London Olympics| Engagement 4-25-13| Married 7-30-13| Hired immigration lawyer 9-13 (waste of time)| Applied for Spousal Visa online 12-27-13| Biometrics completed 1-2-14| Spousal & dependent visas submitted 1-10-14| Application is being processed email 1-13-14| Decision has been made email 1-21-14| Received approved visas 1-24-14| Arrived in London 3-9-14 YAY!!


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Re: What was the marriage process like for you?
« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2011, 07:10:52 PM »
Congrats! Good luck with the whole process, keep us posted!

Aww thank you ;) And will do!
Met at 2012 London Olympics| Engagement 4-25-13| Married 7-30-13| Hired immigration lawyer 9-13 (waste of time)| Applied for Spousal Visa online 12-27-13| Biometrics completed 1-2-14| Spousal & dependent visas submitted 1-10-14| Application is being processed email 1-13-14| Decision has been made email 1-21-14| Received approved visas 1-24-14| Arrived in London 3-9-14 YAY!!


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Re: What was the marriage process like for you?
« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2011, 10:23:34 AM »
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!!!


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Re: What was the marriage process like for you?
« Reply #11 on: October 09, 2011, 09:07:11 AM »
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.
Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.  A. Lincoln

09/09: Met in San Diego
09/09-04/11: 9 trips, 1000 hours of Skype, a billion IMs
04/11-08/11: Successfully lived under the same roof in the UK
08/11: Engaged
02/11/12: Wedding in San Diego
03/12/12: Submitted online application
03/16/12: Biometrics appointment, documents sent
3/28/12: Spousal visa issued!
4/24/12: Moved to UK
6/24/14: Passed Life in the UK test
7/3/14: Submitted SET (M) in person via Premium Service
7/7/14: BRP received via courrier! I'


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Re: What was the marriage process like for you?
« Reply #12 on: October 11, 2011, 04:47:32 AM »
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 ;)
Met at 2012 London Olympics| Engagement 4-25-13| Married 7-30-13| Hired immigration lawyer 9-13 (waste of time)| Applied for Spousal Visa online 12-27-13| Biometrics completed 1-2-14| Spousal & dependent visas submitted 1-10-14| Application is being processed email 1-13-14| Decision has been made email 1-21-14| Received approved visas 1-24-14| Arrived in London 3-9-14 YAY!!


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