British citizen marrying in the USA

Question

Hi. My fiancee and I are planning on getting married. She's a citizen in the USA and I am a UK citizen. I would like to get married in the US, most likely New Jersey as that is where she lives. Do I need a visa to enter the USA in order to get married, or can I do this while I am on holiday/vacation?

I will be returning home after the marriage and she will eventually be joining me a couple of months after (subject to a marriage via to enter the UK of course)

Many thanks in advance,

Mark

Answer 1

Okay, if you do not intend to live in the United States you don't need anything.  You come here on the Visa Waiver, get married and go home.  What ever it takes to get your wife a visa to come to the UK is on you when you get home.

Here's the hang-up.  If the CBP Officer at the port of entry knows you are coming to get married it's possible you'll be denied entry.  I would HIGHLY recommend that you bring along a lot of evidence that you are going to return to the UK.... apartment lease, letter from your employer stating you are on holiday with the date you are expected to return to your job, registration to your automobile, banking statements showing regular deposits, utility bills, etc...  All this will show the CBP Officer that you have a life in the UK to get back to.

Have your American fiancee check the requirements for a marriage license in advance to make sure there's not going to be a problem.... there shouldn't be.

Answer 2

No you can do it without anything. My Dad's British mate and his British wife got married in Vegas.

Answer 3

Getting married an a visa waiver is legal. Changing status (which you state you are not going to do) is the problem. Just come, get married, return home, get the wife a visa for your country, have her join you, live happily ever after. Just make sure you can get married in the location you plan to (some places are instituting a rule that you need a SSN (Social Security Number) to get married) If not you might have to get married in a different location.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

No, UK is a visa waiver country.  When you get married, you will need to file for an Adjustment of Status and a 131.  

Go to www.uscis.gov for the details.