what is easier? getting married in the US or the UK?

Which is easier? getting married in the US or the UK? I am an American and my boyfriend is British... if we were to get married in the US and move to the UK would that be easier then getting a fiancee visa in the UK and getting married in the UK?

I dunno about 'easier' but it's definitely cheaper to get married in the US and then get a spousal visa instead of paying for a fiancee visa and then your FLR. 

Yes...easier too. To get married in UK...you must have fiancee visa. Over here...just go to the courthouse and do the deed...we did. Only glitch could be at the Point of Entry, if he says that he came to get married, then it could raise some questions about whether he will be a risk. So make sure that he has letter from employer stating that he is expected back in the UK on a certain date...and a lease or something. Then you should be OK.

I'm also an American getting married to a Brit... it's taking place in PA... I called the courthouse and they said he doesn't need to do or fill out anything special to get married... we just have to pop by the courthouse with valid photo ID's (passport or drivers ID) and that's the only requirement for a marriage license (and $50 cash for the application). So it's really really easy.

Same here. I called the courthouse (three times, just to verify) to see if he needed anything or if we needed any special paperwork beforehand. All he needed was his passport, but he had his driver's license and birth certificate, just in case.

Terri made a good point, though - have your intended get a note from their employer (or, if not employed, bring a lease agreement / mortgage papers, etc.) on the off chance that Immigration may get suspicious. Never lie to immigration! If they ask about marriage be honest, but don't volunteer the information if it's not sought after!

Is it really cheaper, though? If you get married in the UK you have to pay for the Fiance(e) Visa, but if you skip that bit and have them come over here to get married you'll have to pay for the extra flight (I suppose it also depends on how far you / they have to fly). I'd think it would sort of come out even, give or take. But not having to go through the hassle of that additional Visa certainly makes things easier.

Good luck!

US definatley

Definately easier in the U.S! Our minister in the states (who lived in Britain for 10 years) said to treat it as he is coming over on holiday and just got married.  I am not advocating what we did, but when my dh came through immigration we didn't even mention anything about marriage.  He just said he was here on holiday seeing friends (which is partly true!) He was on holiday, and he did see friends (but got a wife too!)

thanks for the help!!!!!!!!!!!!!  .... i think we'll just get married in the UK... it will be cheaper airfare wise!!!!!

Definately easier in the U.S! Our minister in the states (who lived in Britain for 10 years) said to treat it as he is coming over on holiday and just got married. I am not advocating what we did, but when my dh came through immigration we didn't even mention anything about marriage. He just said he was here on holiday seeing friends (which is partly true!) He was on holiday, and he did see friends (but got a wife too!)

We did the same, plus there was no waiting time, did not have to apply for a visa. Also the fees to get married are so small in comparison. I also found it a lot less hassle than arranging a wedding here.

thanks for the help!!!!!!!!!!!!!  .... i think we'll just get married in the UK... it will be cheaper airfare wise!!!!!

But it won't be cheaper visa-wise, if you plan to settle in the UK after your wedding.

yes i plan to live and work in the UK after i am married... i just think that spending $800 on a flight for him to come marry me in the US and buying a one way ticket for myself to fly back to the UK with him at maybe the same price will just be a lot more expensive... i dunno

I would really think the costs would even out the same no matter where you get married.....unless you got a really really cheap flight to get your fiance to the US

US.....my US fiance seems to think she will make money from a monetry bridal shower and on the wedding day which i will only believe when i see !!!

yes i plan to live and work in the UK after i am married... i just think that spending $800 on a flight for him to come marry me in the US and buying a one way ticket for myself to fly back to the UK with him at maybe the same price will just be a lot more expensive... i dunno

Keep in mind that you'll need to spend $494 for a fiancé visa before you can enter the UK to get married.  Then you'll need to buy your ticket.  Then once you're married, you'll need to shell out another £330 (by post) or £500 (in person) to extend your stay in the UK.  Also, depending on what kind of wedding you want and depending on where the funds are coming from, you may need to take the exchange rate into account.  Good luck whatever you decide.   

We did the same, plus there was no waiting time, did not have to apply for a visa. Also the fees to get married are so small in comparison. I also found it a lot less hassle than arranging a wedding here.

We did the same. He was with his family so they said they were all on holiday. It was true, they were, but with a wedding in there too! Although for our marriage license we didn't get a discount (we were suppose to get on because we did a premarriage class within the catholic church, which in this state qualified for a $30 discount) because he wasn't a US citizen...so we paid the full price to legally get married...which was like $93 but well worth it 

The only fall back is possibly being apart after the wedding (like me and my H) but if you have all your documents together you can apply in person for the spousal visa and avoid that...but we had enough trouble getting me to graduate uni and plan the whole wedding myself without going mentally insane...couldn't fathom thinking of immigration stuff before the wedding!