I've got a few questions. I've searched the internet inside and out for answers, but have returned to square one. Here's the skinny on my situation.

Basically, I'm a 17 year old US native, who has fallen in love with a 20 year old UK citizen who has asked for my hand in marriage. I said yes, of course. We met in April of 2005, and became very close friends, talking constantly over email and whatnot. I flew overseas December 21 2005 to meet him. Originally, my stay was going to be for 2 weeks, but I ended up missing my flight, and he got me tickets back home for March 18th. He is accompanying me for a week in the States, where he will meet my parents and so on, so forth. I've really enjoyed staying with him here these past two months. The thing is, I have a one way flight back to Wales on June 30th 2006, and I want to make sure I will have my visa before then.

1. I will be 18 on May, 31st 2006.
2. I have the full support of my parents on the decision to marry this man.
3. We have gone through the requirements, and at the time he's in the process of looking for a better place to live, he has a stable job, and we both have funds saved up. All systems are go, it seems, except we need a copy of his passport and the passport photos.

So, my questions are:

A.) Will I be able to submit my application before my 18th birthday, so long as my parents sign for it? Seeing as I'm not leaving till after I'm of legal age, I'd think it'd be ok. I just want to make sure I have enough time to ensure that I will get the visa through by June 30th.

B.) About how long should it take for the yes/no on the visa once the application is submitted?

C.) Where can I get good information about this whole process, including lists of things to provide with the application, where the nearest Consulate is, (close to chicago, Illinois), etc.

I want this to run as smoothly as possible. In 20 days, I'll be gearing up to spend three months without my fiance, I'll be stuck in the states, waiting for the visa to get cleared. I am really looking forward to spending the rest of my life with this man. I can't live without him. Any other advice, tips you could give me would be well appreciated!!

Thank you in advance,
Casandra


~*~*~*I'd also be interested on any info about an easier way to do this!!! my funds are indeed limited, and I'd like to work as soon as possible, getting to the uk!!~*~*~*

Would it be easier to get married in march while we're in Illinois? This is what I've found on marriage in Illinois.

Illinois: If you are 16 or 17 years of age, you will have to provide a copy of your birth certificate along with some other sort of identification showing your date of birth. You will also need to have the sworn consent from each parent, each legal guardian or a judge - in person - before the county clerk at the time of application. Your parents or guardians will need to provide identification like a driver's license, state identification card, Illinois Department of Public Aid card, or passport. If your parent is deceased, you will need to show a death certificate or proof of guardianship, or a court order waiving consent. A legal guardian will also need to show a certified copy of the guardianship papers. If you are under sixteen (16) years of age, you cannot get married in Illinois.

I have also found that a marriage license is issued the date of application, with a 24 hour waiting period for the actual marriage. I'd still need my parents to be present, which would be no problem. My fiance would need his passport, and birth cert. or other form of identification.

I just dont know what I should do about it... Help

 

Ok, so I've read through those, but I still have some questions that didnt get answered.

Does my Fiance (uk) need to send in his passport? Can it be a certified copy of his passport? Or, could we send in a certified copy of his birth certificate?

How long will I have to wait before my visa gets a yes/no? If I have everything correct, all of the paperwork, etc how long will I have to wait?

Since we've decided to get married in March in Illinois, can I submit my visa application without having my parents sign for it? Seeing as I've already been married to him, and am not entering the UK to get married to him?

Any other tips/advice would be greatly appreciated, and thank you for your help thus far.