Getting Married in the UK

Can someone help me, please?  Although my fiance and I are still going to America to see my family and to NYC for my spousal visa, we now wanted to change our plans and get married here, in the UK, in October.  We felt it would be easier this way, to host a small family reception here, and we felt it would be nice for his parents to actually be a part of the ceremony since his Mum is in a wheel chair, and it isn't easy for her to get around.

We both have our plane tickets to go to America in November so that's all taken care of, and we know about making the appointment with the British Consulate so we'll do that as soon as they allow us to book. 

My question is, will it be ok if we get married here in the UK in October, but not have the spousal visa till we go back to the USA where I have every intention of getting the visa?  I have already paid for it so surely I'll be going there to get what is mine! I want to do things legally and on the up and up, that's why I was asking if our new plans to marry in October will be lawully acceptable.  When we are scheduled to return here back to Britain after our stay in America, we will most definitely have the spousal visa in our hands. 

But is it still ok and legal for us to be married here in Britain then, the month before we go to America?

Thank you so much for any assistance on this!

Im not really sure if things have changed since we got married in 2003 but I simply came here on a visitors visa and got married at the registry office. Then we applied for a spouse visa. It was simple, free and we had no interviews. I know people that have undergone tons of gried trying to obtain a fiance visa. I was denied a fiance visa because I have children from a previous marriage so we just took a chance, got married in the UK and applied for the spouse visa. I cant tell you how simple it was but things may have changed since then. Check out the home office site and read it in great detail.
Best of luck!!
Pebbles

You didn't have to pay like $500 for a spousal visa? Oh well, I already paid and have to go to the British Consulate in NYC, but you still answered my question as far as getting married here.  Thank you so much!

My British fiance and are getting married here next month.  Then we leave for the states to get my spousal visa and visit Las Vegas.

We went to the registry office a couple of weeks ago.  (You have to go to the registry office in the community where you live.)  I had to take my passport and divorce decree.  I also took my birth certificate but I don't know if that was required.  My fiance took his birth certificate and his divorce papers.  They interviewed each of us together and then seperately.  My divorce paper had to be sent away for "clearance" because the woman in charge only had authority to clear divorce papers from California, Texas, Florida and New York.  I am from another state.  A few days later she called and said my divorce paper had been cleared. 

In this registry office you have to have all of this done at least 16 days before the marriage so it can be posted.  She told us that she gets applicants from all over the world--had one from China a few weeks ago.

There is nothing illegal about it.  They just don't want you coming here with the intent to stay without a settlement visa of some sort.  And it is cheaper to go straight for the spousal visa than to go the fiance visa and then the spousal visa.

We too decided that it was easier to get married here and my son lives in another European country and will be able to come.   

Hi, Eliza. I've gathered a couple of other peoples' experiences here, but I'm curious about your experience too - especially as you say that you were interviewed separately AND together. My fiance and I are giving notice next week (we were meant to do it a couple of weeks previous, but were waiting for his paycheck to come in!) and I'm a little nervous 'cause my Jamie has a memory like a sieve - what sort of questions did they ask you guys?

Im not really sure if things have changed since we got married in 2003 but I simply came here on a visitors visa and got married at the registry office. Then we applied for a spouse visa. It was simple, free and we had no interviews. I know people that have undergone tons of gried trying to obtain a fiance visa. I was denied a fiance visa because I have children from a previous marriage so we just took a chance, got married in the UK and applied for the spouse visa. I cant tell you how simple it was but things may have changed since then. Check out the home office site and read it in great detail.
Best of luck!!
Pebbles

The rules on this have changed in the past year in that one can only apply for a spousal visa from a country outside the UK, unless, of course, one is here on a fiancee visa and then is applying for the Further Leave To Remain part of it.

The rules on this have changed in the past year in that one can only apply for a spousal visa from a country outside the UK, unless, of course, one is here on a fiancee visa and then is applying for the Further Leave To Remain part of it.

Elle, I was told that I was OK to apply for a FLR (M) visa once we get married, as I'm already here on a student visa. Do you think I was misled? 

Elle, I was told that I was OK to apply for a FLR (M) visa once we get married, as I'm already here on a student visa. Do you think I was misled? 

No idea.  Who told you?  If someone from the Home Office then go with it.  If not, check with HO to be sure.  I really don't know about your specific situation.  I only know that those coming in as visitors on a visitor's visa who get married and want to stay now must return to their country of origin to apply for the spousal visa. 

Best of luck!

Anne--I think the questions are designed to make sure you really know each other.  The interview when we were together was just chitchat.  Then she had me leave the room and she talked to my finace for about five minutes.  Then he came out to the waiting room and I went in.  First she asked me his full name and address.  I think she wanted to know if I knew his middle name. She then asked me the names of his children and his address.  And then surprisingly she asked me the name of his exwife.  I think she also asked me his birth date.  She asked me where I was born and my full name and checked it with the information he had given her.

I can't remember all the questions but it was a very friendly interview.  Afterwards when my fiance came back in we sat and chatted for about 10 more minutes and she explained the posting process and what we needed to do next.  We are not getting married in that registry office so she explained what we needed to do to schedule in the other registry office.

I received written confirmation in the mail that my divorce papers had been cleared and she called a couple of days ago to tell us when we could pick up the papers to take to the other registry office. 

I almost forgot--you need to take a bill that you have received in the mail in your name.  I am not sure if this has to be a utility bill or not.  It shows that you actually live where you say you do.

She told us that divorce certificates from California, Texas, New York and Florida are very distinctive and would be very difficult to forge.  She thinks that is why she has authority to clear those herself.   
My divorce paper from another state is official but it could possibly be forged with the right equipment.

Elle, I was told that I was OK to apply for a FLR (M) visa once we get married, as I'm already here on a student visa. Do you think I was misled? 

Anne, like you, I'm here on a student visa and was told by the HO that I did NOT have to go home to apply for the FLR(M). You can PM me if you want and I can tell you the specifics... however, I have only a little over a week ago sent off my visa application so, in 2 weeks, or so, if we're lucky, I should be able to let you know what the real deal is! Unlike you though, we are not getting married first. I've been a student here going on 4 years now and have lived with the DF for over 2, so we applied as unmarried partners.

Regardless, when I asked the HO, we didn't know which we'd do, so their answer still applies. If for some reason, we are rejected, I'll find out if our wedding date in October will change the scenario!

If you are in the UK on a visa that is longer than 6 months, then you can marry in the UK and apply for your FLR(M) within the UK.  If you enter on a Fiancee Visa, you obviously apply for your FLR(M) after getting married in the UK.

MrsPlumPudding, it's absolutely fine and legal for you to do what you're going to do.  You can get married here in the UK, then return to the US to obtain your Spouse Visa to re-enter the UK on it.  Once you enter the UK on your Spouse Visa, you will be eligible to work, as well.

Thank you, Peedal.  That helped me a lot! 

Anne, like you, I'm here on a student visa and was told by the HO that I did NOT have to go home to apply for the FLR(M). You can PM me if you want and I can tell you the specifics... however, I have only a little over a week ago sent off my visa application so, in 2 weeks, or so, if we're lucky, I should be able to let you know what the real deal is! Unlike you though, we are not getting married first. I've been a student here going on 4 years now and have lived with the DF for over 2, so we applied as unmarried partners.

Regardless, when I asked the HO, we didn't know which we'd do, so their answer still applies. If for some reason, we are rejected, I'll find out if our wedding date in October will change the scenario!

Thanks Balmerhon (and peedal too) - I feel better about it now. I've got my FLR (M) application all ready to go - now I just need to get this stupid wedding thing done and dusted.  Actually that's a joke - I can't wait to marry Jamie, it's just the wedding preparations are taking their toll on us both! Eloping is sounding better every day!!!!