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Topic: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?  (Read 4149 times)

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Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« on: September 02, 2008, 08:06:59 PM »
*sighs*

I'm slightly flipping out here...lol.

I was told earlier in the summer that my fiance could come over from the UK on the visa waiver program and we could get married.

I went back to immigration today and got a different immigration officer.  She basicly told me it's illegal to get married on the visa waiver program.  Mind you, I don't think she understood a DARN thing I was asking her though.  I basicly only spoke to her for 10 minutes, then left the building.  Which now, I feel very frustrated.  I tried to explain to her that we'd get married here because my family and friends are here, my fiance would go back to the UK, then I'd apply for the spousal visa.  ARG!

So what I'm asking is, who has gotten married in the US then applied for the UK Spousal visa?  I think I just need some reassurance because it's stressing me out.  We'd like to get married in April of '09, but now I don't know what we should do. 

Any help would be MUCH appericiated.  And sorry I'm flipping out here. :p




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Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2008, 08:23:35 PM »
Don't worry...You can absolutely get married in the US without any sort of special visa.  My husband and I got married in CA in May and we entered the US without making any special arrangements for him.  He had a return ticket and that was all.  If your fiance is worried a letter from his employer stating that they expect him back in 2/3/4 weeks might be a good thing for him to carry with when he goes through immigration.




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Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2008, 08:45:24 PM »
Thanks, karin. :)

I'm just really "ARG!" at this point.

So, when your husband came in, what did he say at the POE?  The immigration officer today told me to have my fiance lie, but I don't want to do that.  I also don't want any sort of immigration fraud to happen, if you know what I mean.




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Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2008, 08:53:03 PM »
I got married in the U.S.  He doesn't have to lie, but he should have proof he is returning to the UK.

That way, if he is questioned, he will have proof.

Never lie to the IO.


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Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2008, 09:40:58 PM »
Dh & I got married in the States we didn't have any problems getting the marriage license but every State is different we got married in Indiana. I second that never lie to  the IO it could come back an bite in the butt later on.


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Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2008, 10:18:32 PM »
We were married in Texas.  He flew in the week before to help get things set up (and get the marriage license), we had our wedding, then went to Arkansas for a camping honeymoon under the stars (*sigh) and then he went back to UK for two months to return to work and set up our place while I stayed behind and filed for the spousal visa.  No troubles at all, just a little confusion getting the marriage license because his address wouldn't fit into the assigned slot... lol... but it all worked out fine.  They never asked to see proof of him returning to UK or anything...
It was hard to be apart for two months, but now I am so glad we did things the way we did... the wedding was inexpensive and just what we wanted, and now I am here and I was able to start working right away and everything fell into place just like we had planned for nearly a year while crying over the webcam and at the airport each time one of us had to leave again.  It is so worth it!!!  Good luck to you!


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Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2008, 10:24:38 PM »
A rule for a happy life...don't ask people who work for immigration any immigration questions, you will almost never get the right answer!

 ;D

Vicky


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Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2008, 02:34:20 AM »
Awww...thanks SOOO much, ladies...you have NO idea how much your input means to me.

And yes, Vicky....I saw about asking immigration about immigration today.  It was so much easier when I had the first immigration officer.  He was nice, funny, and even started to sing the Wedding March when I told him my fiance and I were engaged.

And I'm sure my fiance could get a letter from his employer stating that he has a job waiting for him so he has no choice but to go back to the UK. 

I'm just a bit paranoid (as I'm sure someone here was at first :p). 

So do you even suggest not lying when I reach the POE at Heathrow?  Because my fiance thinks I should just say boyfriend.  I actually had a crying fit about this this evening when I was speaking to him, going 'round and 'round about it.

*sighs*

Why's it gotta be so difficult just to be with the one you love?! :p




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Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #8 on: September 03, 2008, 03:20:41 AM »
I agree with Vicky...I have asked Immigration questions and it caused me nothing but headaches...good luck on your marriage and your spousal visa  ;D
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is to love
and to be loved in return"


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Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #9 on: September 03, 2008, 04:36:23 AM »
A rule for a happy life...don't ask people who work for immigration any immigration questions, you will almost never get the right answer!

 ;D

Vicky

This made me laugh out loud!!!    [smiley=laugh4.gif]  I 100% agree with this. 
11 Aug 00 - Married (Living in US)
25 Jul 08 - Spousal Visa w/ KOL Stamp Approved
01 Oct 08 - Arrived in the UK
05 Mar 09 - ILR Approved (In Person Appointment ~ Liverpool Office)


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Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #10 on: September 03, 2008, 08:26:19 AM »
DH and I got married in Los Angeles, CA. He came back and forth to the US several times...without any problems. He always said he was visiting his fiance...we were naive at that point...knew nothing about bounces. But I think alot has to do with how nervous you are...and some may have to do with age. We were late 30s/early 40s so I don't think we raised as many questions as 20s do.

To get married in CA or Las Vegas all you need is a passport and/or birth certificate. There is no waiting time in either place. It takes CA about a week to return your marriage certificate (this is what you need for the visa...it is AFTER you are married and signed by both of you and the minister/judge). I think Las Vegas has it down to an art and it is almost instant though. Neither place requires the blood tests either. But if either of you have been married before it is a good idea to have the divorce papers or death certificate with you.
Terri P O'Neale


Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #11 on: September 03, 2008, 10:47:55 AM »
My boyfriend is coming to Chicago a week from Friday to marry me and everyone I asked said that's fine without a special visa.  We were going to get married in Lancaster but *I* would have needed a visa, (so says the registry office) and that's why he is coming here.  Cook County, Illinois will marry us and all he needs is two forms of ID.


Of course, I had told him maybe he shouldn't mention his reasons for coming to Chicago to the immigration people, but now that I am reading this thread and others, *I* am totally freaking out.  They really won't bounce him back to england if we tell them honestly why he's here?  Would they really deny my visa later if we just didn't mention it this time?  I don't want any trouble later on but oh man, if they send him back instead of letting us have the wedding I will totally cry for a hundred years!  What's the best thing to do?


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Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #12 on: September 03, 2008, 11:42:12 AM »
The best thing to do is be honest, but don't volunteer stuff. Usually the person asks...are you here on business or pleasure? Reply...pleasure. Where are you staying?...With a friend/gf/or fiancee. How long will you be here? Usually it ends there.

If it goes beyond that...complete honesty is best policy. But your fiancee should bring proof that he intends to return to the UK such as letter from work, lease, and/or bank statements. He may even have information about your spousal visa application. You probably won't need any of it, but it is better to be safe.

I think someone maybe confused...there are 'plans' to require UKC to register their intent to marry aboard, but this is NOT a requirement yet. So marry and apply for your spousal visa from the US...if you have a place to live, finances to support you...and prrof of your relationship such as emails, letters and pics...you should be fine.
Terri P O'Neale


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Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #13 on: September 03, 2008, 01:52:12 PM »
Woo hoo!  More info! :)

Thanks, Terri.

I'm glad I posted this thread now since others are jumping in and getting answers.  I mean, I searched and searched yesterday for things, but you get SO many search responses it's hard to sift through them sometimes when you're frustrated. :p

And yes, I agree.  I'm VERY opposed to lying about anything.  Buuuttt...when I get to Heathrow in a few weeks, I just might say "boyfriend".  Hopefully they won't question me TOO much as I'm in my late 20s, but look like I'm about 18.  Eeps.

And ladies, keep posting questions/advice! :)

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Re: Who has gotten married in the U.S.?
« Reply #14 on: September 03, 2008, 08:42:40 PM »
yes, thank you everyone for being so helpful (like always.)   i've had three weeks to plan a wedding and learn about visas and move, so uh...  it's a little stressful.  :)  but he'll be here in one week and then i'm sure i'll be too busy to come here and panic, haha.  bear with me!


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