nina06

I am a little confused with British marriage laws.
When a U.S. citizen marries a U.K. citizen in the U.K., not only is it necessary for marriage at the Registrar, but does the U.S. citizen also need to visit the American Embassy for some sort of civil ceremony?
Also, can a civil ceremony be held at a member of Parliment's house and can a church clergyman also perform a ceremony there at the same time?

shakesrear

I've never heard of needing to go to the US Embassy to perform a civil ceremony. Marriages are under the jurisdiction of the country in which you marry. You can certainly notify your Embassy after the fact, but the marriage is complete and legally binding by the government of the country in which is was performed.

I don't know about the UK, but here in France, the civil ceremony is mandatory and it must take place before any religious ceremony (whether it be the same day or months apart).

I hope that helps. Also you should know that for your taxes, from now on you should file 'married filing separately' (unless you guys live in the US), otherwise your spouse will be subjected to US taxes without even being either a citizen or a resident.

Nikkeigaikokujin

That would be true if you are Japanese, but not if you are an American. (Japan doesn't recognize marriages performed in the UK, unless both are Japanese nationals)

Trainspotting

Be careful, if you are an American, you cannot naturalize as a British citizen because it would be considered an expatriating act on the part of the American citizen. Canadians are allowed to naturalize as British, and the British will allow the American from their side, but the United States does not allow its citizens who have reached the age of majority to seek naturalization to hold dual citizenship. You must have either naturalized as a minor, or obtained it through descent in order to be allowed to be a dual citizen as an American.