Marrying in America

Subject: Marrying in America
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 03:13 PM

I am a UK citizen and will be getting married in October to an American in the States.

I'm having problems getting any information from the US Embassy as to whether there are any measures I need to take to ensure that I don't end up in a bureaucratic mess afterwards.

Do I need to get any sort of official sanction from immigration before I go to the States? Has anyone on the forum been through the necessary procedures and knows the ropes?

Any help would be appreciated.

Subject: RE: Marrying in America
From: mg
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 03:49 PM

have your intended line up an immigration lawyer. there are all sorts of obstacles especially now. Start working on this now. mg

Subject: RE: Marrying in America
From: maggiethecat
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 03:59 PM

Go to Google.com, and type in "marrying a US citizen". You'll find lots of info.

It will mean filling out a lot of forms. I think getting married outside of the US is easier, but I might be wrong. It used to be that way. Good luck!

(I agree, an immigration lawyer isn't a bad idea)

Subject: RE: Marrying in America
From: Amergin
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 04:03 PM

You have to come to the us on a visa. Then you have to apply for permanent residency and a work permit...and your intended has to make enough to sponsor you. If you marry outside the us and then try to come over you will still need a visa ...and then apply for perm residence...otherwise they'll ship you back.

Subject: RE: Marrying in America
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 07:00 PM

If you are male and marrying in a community of property state, I recommend a pre-nuptial agreement.

Subject: RE: Marrying in America
From: Amos
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 07:01 PM

Here is a page of links -- some more germane than others.

Click here.

A

Subject: RE: Marrying in America
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 07:24 PM

I know a friend of ours is marrying an American in the next few weeks... And moving there to do it... and once she goes over, there's something about she can't LEAVE the USA for a period of 3 or 6 months....

Unless I misunderstood....

Subject: RE: Marrying in America
From: CarolC
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 07:48 PM

Re: what CH just said... if you're here legally, but you don't have a green card, you will need something that the Dept of Homeland Security (formerly the INS - Immigration and Naturalization Service) calls an "advance parole". That is the document that will allow you to reenter the US if you have left the country. It does take a few months to get the advance parole, and that is probably why Clinton's friend can't leave for three to six months.

We've been using an immigration attorney for JtS, and it's been a very complicated process even with the attorney.

On the subject of prenuptual agreements... I believe that a court of law will enforce state laws over a prenup.

Subject: RE: Marrying in America
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 02:51 AM

You will have to deal with a bureaucratic mess.

It's only worth it if you're sure it's true love.

Or if you're really, really desperate to live in the USA.

Subject: RE: Marrying in America
From: kendall
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 06:21 AM

If she marrys in October, then wants to visit the UK at New years or some other holiday how would the bureaucrats know she left the country?

Subject: RE: Marrying in America
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 11:46 AM

From this website, it appears that your passport is stamped as a single entry VISA. You can leave but not get back in.

http://www.shusterman.com/marriage.html

The throbbing heart alone would lead me to eliminate this particular lawyer from my "A" list but the information is good.

Subject: RE: Marrying in America
From: Bert
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 04:48 PM

The easy way is to keep everything legal. Get a visa before coming to the US. Apply for a work permit after you are married, or do as I did and apply for citizenship.

Subject: RE: Marrying in America
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 06:59 PM

Congratulations Guest. I don't have any answers to your questions, just wanted to wish you a long and happy life together.

Best wishes,
Mike

Subject: RE: Marrying in America
From: Amergin
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 07:59 PM

also check out the ins website..click here