Hello, I'm new here. My name is James.

I am a British citizen who is planning on marrying my American girlfriend, in California. I hope to move to the US indefinitely.

Do I have to apply for a marriage license or anything like that? I'm sure its not just as simple as walking into a church, or registry office.

I am currently in the UK, but I fly out to San Diego at the start of September for 3 months. I'm just checking if there is anything I have to organize in order to get married.

Thank you very much.

Hi James,

Yes, you guys will need to first apply for a marriage license once you get to the USA. Do a search online for the requirements of the county where you will be getting married. Here in the USA, each city/county/state has it's own rules on how to get married.

There is nothing really that YOU need to do. You enter on the VWP, find out how to apply for the marriage license, and find out if there's a required waiting time between applying for the license and actually getting married...then get married. Then you leave the USA before your 90 days is up.

You and you fiancee can research online ahead of time what it takes to get married in the location you have in mind.

Rene

Hi James,

When do you plan to move?

Sometime in the next year or two. After my VWP runs out I'll return to England and save up a bit of money, and then apply at the embassy for a 'marriage visa' (or whatever its called).

The are a few problems with getting that visa though - a few months ago I was rejected a B2 (6 month) visa as I did not provide enough evidence that I had strong ties to Britain. And although I have never really been in trouble with the police, I did get summoned to court when I was a teenager for not paying a train ticket. Do you think that either of these will cause any problems?


Thanks Rene, you've been very helpful.

I doubt either of those two will be an issue for your Immigrant Visa.

So what will happen is, after you return to the UK after getting married in the USA, your wife will file an I-130 petition here in the USA. Eventually you will be sent some paperwork to fill out for your Immigrant Visa application, you'll get a police report and medical done, and then go for an interview at the embassy in London. When you get your Immigrant Visa, you have 6 months to use it.

It takes around 8 to 10 months from filing the I-130 to getting the visa in hand.

Rene

Make sure you return to England before your VWP admission runs out.

Could very well be an issue for his VWP marriage entry, though!

True. To the OP, just make sure you are completely honest when answering any questions on any forms, including the I-94W.

Rene

He can't, because he's been refused a visa. He can't use the VWP.

What do you mean........... he was refused a B2 because he is eligible for the VWP.

Though he may now face questioning.

I wouldn't plan a grand wedding...

Wonder if the "criminal" box should have been ticked on any previous VWP entries. Or will this one be his first one? Also wonder if he fessed up on the B2 application?

This one's starting to smell of skeletons!

Oooo I can help here

Where abouts in San Diego? We got married at the Kearny Mesa place:

http://arcc.co.san-diego.ca.us/servi..._licenses.aspx

Very easy. We turned up with our passports (both UK citizens) and birth certs (Me Oz, him Blighty) and about 60 bucks. Marriage license given to us within 20 minutes. License valid for 90 days ...but we got married about an hour later...whenever the next celebrant/whatever person was available...and also a witness that they provided.

Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.

PM me for more info.

Says who? The only info we have been given on the reason for refusal of the visa is not enough ties to the UK.

Hmmm, I thought you could still use the VWP if you've been denied a visitor's visa, you just have to check the box which says you've been denied a visa.

I thought you couldn't use the VWP if you've ever overstayed on the VWP.

Rene

I thought the same. Good name btw!
J.