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U.S. Visas > U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country > United Kingdom
Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| C-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| CW-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| CW-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| E-1 2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-2 2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| H-1B | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2B | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2R | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| I | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| L-2 | $90.00 ▲ | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| NATO 1-6 10 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| NATO-7 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 15 Months 3 |
| Q-2 6 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| Q-3 6 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| R-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| R-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| TD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
▲- Fees for L-2 visas apply to all persons, including spouses and children holding passports issued by United Kingdom issuing authorities, and do not apply to those persons with passports issued by authorities of British colonies or dependent territories. Fee is charged on a per individual basis.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The publication "General Register Office Abstract of Arrangement Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths in the United Kingdom and Other Countries of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and in the Irish Republic" contains a great deal of pertinent information, and may prove of value as a reference to persons confronted with individual problems. It is published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 49 High Holborn, London WC1.
England and Wales (including Scilly Isles and Isle of Wight)
Available
Fees: £12.50
Document Name Birth Certificate
Issuing Authority: General Register Office or Local Registrar’s Office
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 watermarked paper (short and long form) with raised embossed seal for GRO issued certificate.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title:
Registration Criteria: within 42 days at local register office where child was born.
Procedure for Obtaining: Certificates of birth may be obtained from the General Register Office, PO Box 2, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 2JD, or from the local registrar's office in the district in which the birth was originally registered. Long-form birth certificates should be requested, as short-form birth certificates do not contain the parents' names. Click here for more information
Certified Copies: Available through GRO website for £12.50
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Scotland
Available
Fees: £12
Document Name: Birth Certificate
Issuing Authority: National Records of Scotland
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 watermarked paper, signed by registrar
Issuing Authority Personnel Title:
Registration Criteria: within 21 days of birth
Procedure for Obtaining: Certificates of birth may be obtained from the National Records of Scotland, New Register House, 3 West Regis Edinburgh EH1 3YT, or from the Registrar's Office for the district in which the birth occurred. Long-form birth certificates should be obtained as short-form certificates do not contain parents' names. Click here for more information
Certified Copies: Cost £10 each, issued as “extracts” (legally equivalent to certified copies)
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Northern Ireland
Available
Fees: £15.00
Document Name: Birth Certificate
Issuing Authority: The General Register Office for Northern Ireland (GRONI)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 watermarked paper, signed by registrar
Issuing Authority Personnel Title:
Registration Criteria: Within 42 days of birth
Procedure for Obtaining: Certificates of birth may be obtained from The General Register Office or local register office. Long-form birth certificates should be obtained as short-form certificates do not contain parents' names.
Certified Copies: Available, £15, £20 priority
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Jersey
Available
Fees: £33.95
Document Name: Birth Certificate
Issuing Authority: Office of the Superintendent Registrar
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: paper certificate with registrar signature and official stamp
Issuing Authority Personnel Title:
Registration Criteria: Within 21 days of birth
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply to: Office of the Superintendent Registrar, 25 New Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RA. Click here for more information. Long birth certificates should be obtained as short certificates do not contain parents' names.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Guernsey, Sark, and Alderney
Available
Fees: £40 (Guernsey) £30 (Alderney) Free (Sark)
Document Name: Birth Certificate
Issuing Authority:
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Secure A4 papers with Bailiwick of Guernsey seal
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar
Registration Criteria: Within 30 days of baby being born
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply to: Registrar General's Office, Royal Court House, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2PB
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Isle of Man
Available
Fees: £11-14
Document Name: Birth Certificate
Issuing Authority: Civil Registry, Douglas
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: secure A4 paper, signed by registrar
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar
Registration Criteria: Within 42 days of baby being born
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply to: Civil Registry, Registries Building, Deemsters Walk, Bucks Road, Douglas, Island of Man IM1 3AR Long birth certificates should be obtained as short certificates do not contain parents' names.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
England and Wales (including Scilly Isles and Isle of Wight)
Available
Fees:
Document Name: Certificate of Death
Issuing Authority: General Register Office (GRO) or local Registrar’s office.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title:
Registration Criteria: Must be registered within 5 days unless referred to a coroner.
Procedure for Obtaining: Certificates of death may be obtained from the General Register Office, Smedley Hydro, Trafalgar Road, Southport, Merseyside PR8 2HH, or from the local registrar's office in the district in which the death was originally registered. Click here for more information.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available from GRO.
Alternate Documents: Alternate documents are not available.
Exceptions: Coroner may delay registration, and an Interim Death Certificate may be issued when inquest pending.
Scotland
Available
Fees: £12.50—£15
Document Name: Extract of the Register of Deaths or a Certificate of Registration of Death
Issuing Authority: National Records of Scotland (Registrar General) or local registrar
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Paper extract, office stamp/seal may be present.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar, Registrar General
Registration Criteria: Death must be registered within 8 days, requires Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
Procedure for Obtaining: Certificates of death may be obtained from the Registrar General, New Register House, Edinburgh EH1 3YT, or from the Registrar's Office for the district in which the death occurred. Click here for more information.
Certified Copies: Issued as official “extracts” (certified copies).
Alternate Documents: Alternate documents are not available.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Northern Ireland
Available
Fees: £15
Document Name: Death Certificate
Issuing Authority: General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) or local registrar
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Paper certificate with Registrar signature and official stamp.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar or Superintendent Registrar
Registration Criteria: Must be registered within 5 days by qualified person with Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).
Procedure for Obtaining: Certificates of death may be obtained from the Registrar General's Office, Oxford House, 49-65 Chichester Street, Belfast BT1 4UY or if registered before January 1, 1922, from the Registrar General, Dublin, Eire. Click here for more information.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Jersey
Available
Fees: £33.95
Document Name: Certificate of Death
Issuing Authority: Office of the Superintendent Registrar
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Paper certificate with registrar signature and stamp.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar or Superintendent Registrar
Registration Criteria: Must be registered within 5 days by funeral director of Superintendent Registrar.
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply to: Office of the Superintendent Registrar, 25 New Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RA Click here for more information.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Guernsey, Sark, and Alderney
Available
Fees: £40
Document Name: Death Certificate
Issuing Authority: Greffe Office in Guernsey
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Paper certificate with registrar signature and stamp.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Deputy Registrar-General
Registration Criteria: Within five working days.
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply to: Registrar General's Office, Royal Court House, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2PB.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: Deaths in crown dependencies of Sark and Alderney are registered within the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
Isle of Man
Available
Fees: £12 online, £14 in person/telephone
Document Name: Death Certificate
Issuing Authority: Civil Registry (Isle of Man Government)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Paper certificate with registrar signature.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar or Superintendent Registrar
Registration Criteria:
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply to Civil Registry, Registries Building, Deemsters Walk, Bucks Road, Douglas, Island of Man IM1 3AR
Certified Copies: There are no certified copies.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Available
Fees: General Register Office fees for a standard marriage certificate are £12.50. A priority service is available for £38.50. If ordered through a local register office, fees may vary.
Document Name: Marriage Certificate
Issuing Authority: General Register Office or Local Register Office
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: White with raised, embossed or stamped seal from GRO or local register office. N.B. green certificates stopped being used for new marriages on May 4th, 2021.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar
Registration Criteria: Since May 4th 2021, marriage registration in England and Wales requires signing a "marriage schedule" (or document for Church of England) during the ceremony instead of a register book, with details later recorded electronically by the registrar.
Procedure for Obtaining: Request online, over the phone, or via post through the General Register Office. May also be available at registrar's office in the district where the marriage was originally registered.
Certified Copies: Available from General Register Office or Local Register Office.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Scotland
Available
Fees: A certificate costs £12. Additional copies of the same certificate will cost £10 each. If ordering through a local register office, fees may vary.
Document Name: Marriage Certificate
Issuing Authority: National Records of Scotland
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: White frequently bearing watermarked or stamp sealed certification.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar at NRS or local registration office.
Registration Criteria: A full list of registration criteria can be found at: Registering a marriage or civil partnership - National Records of Scotland (NRS).
Procedure for Obtaining: Can order a copy of your marriage certificate online through the National Records of Scotland website (National Records of Scotland, New Register House, 3 West Regis Edinburgh EH1 3YT) or visit the Registrar’s Office that married the couple.
Certified Copies: Copies can be ordered at https://www.mygov.scot/birth-death-marriage-certificate
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Northern Ireland
Available
Fees: £15 for standard delivery, a priority certificate costs £20.
Document Name: Marriage Certificate
Issuing Authority: General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Black print on white/cream paper with a raised or stamped official seal.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar General for Northern Ireland
Registration Criteria: A full list of registration criteria can be found at: Marriage and registration | nidirect.
Procedure for Obtaining: Order online, in person, or over the phone through the General Register Office NISRA (Colby House, Stranmillis Court, Belfast BT9 5RR) or obtain from the registration office that married the couple.
Certified Copies: Available through the GRONI online system.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Jersey
Available
Fees: See an updated list of fees.
Document Name: Marriage Certificate
Issuing Authority: Office of the Superintendent Registrar.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Embossed seal of the Government of Jersey on high-quality security paper.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Superintendent Registrar or Deputy Superintendent Registrar.
Registration Criteria: For all marriages (including church), the marriage schedule must be returned to the Register Office to be entered into the electronic register before a certificate can be issued.
Procedure for Obtaining: Available online. Certificates can either be posted worldwide or collected from the Office of the Superintendent Registrar at 25 New Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RA.
Certified Copies: Available online.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Guernsey, Sark, and Alderney
Available
Fees: £31
Document Name: Marriage Certificate
Issuing Authority: His Majesty’s Greffier, acting as the Registrar General. Records are maintained and certificates issued by the Greffe Office.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Commonly validated by the Seal of the Bailiwick.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Marriage certificates in the Bailiwick of Guernsey (including Sark and Alderney) are issued by the Greffe Office.
Registration Criteria: A full list of registration criteria can be found at Marriages - Royal Court.
Procedure for Obtaining: The island of Guernsey issues marriage certificates for Sark and Alderney as well. Requests can be made person at the Registrar General's Office, Royal Court House, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2PB. Request a certificate over the phone and have it mailed. See the Royal Court of Guernsey site for contact information.
Certified Copies: Can be obtained online at Births, Deaths, Marriages, Wills and Deed Polls - Royal Court
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
England and Wales (including Scilly Isles and Isle of Wight)
Available
Fees: £11
Document Name:
Issuing Authority:
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title:
Registration Criteria: Divorce or civil partnership dissolution granted by a Family Court
Procedure for Obtaining: Contact the court that granted the divorce, or the Divorce Service Centre if the divorce was processed online after January 2019. If you don’t know which court handled your case, you can contact the Central Family Court. Click here for more information. Many post-2019 records can be requested online via HMCTS.
Certified Copies: Certified/sealed copies of Final Orders are available and legally valid
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: Final order replaced “Decree Absolute” in April 2022
Scotland
Available
Fees: £15
Document Name: Divorce Certificate (extract decree)
Issuing Authority: National Records of Scotland
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title:
Registration Criteria: N/A
Procedure for Obtaining: Visit National Records of Scotland website here.
Certified Copies: Extracts serve as certified copies.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: Pre-1984 divorces not centrally indexed.
Northern Ireland
Available
Fees: £15 – £20
Document Name:
Issuing Authority:
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title:
Registration Criteria: N/A
Procedure for Obtaining: Can be obtained from Matrimonial Office here. Copies of "Decrees Nisi" (preliminary) and "Decrees Absolute" (final) of divorces obtained in Northern Ireland may be obtained from the Chief Registrar, Queen's Bench Division Matrimonial, Principal Probate Registry, Royal Courts of Justice, Chichester Street, Belfast BT1 3JF. While only a plain office copy of a "Decree Nisi" (preliminary) is supplied, a sealed and certified copy of a "Divorce Decree Absolute" (final) is obtainable.
Certified Copies: Certified/sealed copies available (final decree only).
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Jersey
Available
Fees: Standard Certificate £33.95
Express/Priority Certificate: £67
Document Name:
Issuing Authority: Judicial Greffe (Royal Court of Jersey)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Greffier (Court Clerk) or Judicial Greffier
Registration Criteria: Divorce granted by the Royal Court
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply to: The Judicial Greffe. Royal Court House, Royal Square St. Helier, Jersey JE1 1JG.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Guernsey, Sark, and Alderney
Available
Fees: £31
Document Name: Decree Absolute
Issuing Authority: Registrar General's Office
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Court-issued document with official seal/stamp.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Greffier or Court Clerk
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply to: Registrar General's Office, Royal Court House, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2PB.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: Court based, not registry based
Isle of Man
Available
Fees: £12-14
Document Name: Decree Absolute
Issuing Authority: Civil Registry
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Court-issued document with official seal/stamp.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Court Clerk or Deemster (judge)
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply to Isle of Man Courts of Justice, Registries Building, Deemsters Walk, Bucks Road, Douglas, Island of Man IM1 3AR
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
England and Wales (including Scilly Isles and Isle of Wight)
Available
Fees: £12.50
Document Name: Adoption Certificate
Issuing Authority: General Register Office
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Full certificate issued on secure, watermarked paper with stamped, wet-inked signature. Contains name, date of birth, date of adoption order, name of the court, and the names, address, and occupation of the adoptive parents.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Certificates of Adoption may be obtained online or from the General Register Office, PO Box 2, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 2JD. For more information, access the UK government website here: Order an adoption certificate
Certified Copies: £14.00
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: GRO maintains the Adopted Children Register, which serves as the formal record of adoption. Adoption certificates cannot be obtained from the local register office.
Scotland
Available
Fees: £10 within first month of the registration, £15 after
Document Name: Adoption Certificate
Issuing Authority: National Records of Scotland or local registration office
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: On specialized security paper. Contains the full name of the adopted child, sex, date of birth, country/place of birth, adoptive parents' names, addresses, and occupations. It also lists the date of the adoption order and the name of the court.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar General for Scotland
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: The Adopted Children's Register may be obtained from the National Records of Scotland, New Register House, 3 West Regis Edinburgh EH1 3YT, or from the Registrar's Office for the district in which the event occurred. For more information, access the government website here: Order a copy of a certificate - National Records of Scotland (NRS)
Certified Copies: £10 per additional copy.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Northern Ireland
Available
Fees: £15
Document Name: Certificate of Adoption
Issuing Authority: General Register Office of Northern Ireland
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Paper certificate containing adoptive name, date of birth, sex, and adoptive parents' details.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Superintendent Registrar, Registrar
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Certificates of adoption may be obtained online or from the General Register Office NISRA Colby House, Stranmillis Court, Belfast BT9 5RR.
Certified Copies: £15 for first copy, £8 per additional copy.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: Adoption certificates are part of the Adopted Children Register maintained by GRONI, not part of the standard civil registration records.
Jersey
Available
Fees: £33.95
Document Name: Adoption Certificate
Issuing Authority: Office of the Superintendent Registrar
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Paper certificate
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Superintendent Registrar, Registrar
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply to: Office of the Superintendent Registrar, 25 New Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RA For more information, access the government website here: Certificates: birth, adoption, death, marriage, civil partnership copy certificate
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available through The Government of Jersey's Office of the Superintendent Registrar.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Guernsey, Sark, and Alderney
Available
Fees: £40.00
Document Name: Adoption Certificate
Issuing Authority: Registrar General’s Office, Guernsey
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Full and short paper certificates available with office stamp/seal
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply to: Registrar General's Office, Royal Court House, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2PB
Certified Copies: Available, £40.00
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: The Adoption (Guernsey) Law, 1960, covers Guernsey and Alderney. Sark often follows similar procedures under the Bailiwick regulations.
Isle of Man
Available
Fees: £14 in person, £12 online
Document Name: Adoption Certificate
Issuing Authority: the Register General at the Civil Registry
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Paper certificate containing child’s adopted name, adoptive parent(s) details, and the adoption order date, issued by the Civil Registry.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar General at the General Registry
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply to Civil Registry, Registries Building, Deemsters Walk, Bucks Road, Douglas, Island of Man IM1 3AR
Certified Copies: £12 online
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Not Available. The United Kingdom does not have a mandatory or universally issued national identification card.
Available
Who needs a United Kingdom police certificate?
Submit a U.K. police certificate if you are over the age of 16 and have lived in U.K. for six months or longer. If you are under 16, you don’t have to submit one.
You may need more than just one police certificate. In general, you must provide a certificate from every country you’ve lived in for six months or more. Visit the police certificate section of our Civil Documents page to make sure you have all the documents you need.
How to get a United Kingdom police certificate
Visit the Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office (ACRO) website for information on how to apply.
What if I have been convicted of a crime?
Because of The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, some crimes are ignored after a set length of time. If your police certificate reads "No Live Trace" or "Further Information Stepped Down", that means you have an expired conviction. Make sure you include the list of convictions that comes with your certificate when you upload your documents. Bring this list with you to your visa interview appointment. If you do not include this list, we can’t accept your police certificate.
How long are United Kingdom police certificates valid for?
UK ACRO police certificates are valid for one year. When you attend your interview appointment, make sure that your police certificates have not expired. If they have expired, you’ll need to upload a new one to CEAC before your interview.
Required features
These are the features of a valid police certificate:
Feature: |
What we accept: |
Document name |
Police Certificate (UK) |
Issuing Authority |
Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office (ACRO) |
Title of Issuer |
N/A |
Seal(s)/Color/Format |
Signed by an ACRO Officer |
Unavailable
Available
Fees: Vary by request type
Document Name: Certificate of Conviction
Issuing Authority:
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Court document typically containing “crown seal” and signed by officer at the court.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title:
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants may obtain court records (usually called "Memorandum of Conviction" in the United Kingdom), by writing to the Clerk of Court of the court (or courts) in which he or she was tried. This request must include as precise a date and place as possible.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
All Locations
Available
Fees: Free of charge
Document Name: Certificate of Service
Issuing Authority:
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title:
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: To obtain a UK military service certificate, apply for your personal service records using the online service or by filling out a Subject Access Request from (SAR) through the Military Records Service website. Officer personnel are not issued discharge certificates but are usually able to obtain a letter from the appropriate office listed below confirming their release from the Armed Forces. Required:
Certified Copies: Copies issued by MOD are considered official/certified.
Alternate Documents:
Exceptions:
Comments: MOD Subject Access Request is primary access method for military records.
Available
The Series D passport launched in December 2025.
Passports are available in two sizes:
Validity: (Note: certain passports may be issued with shorter validity under specific circumstances, such as corrections or restricted validity cases.)
Blue (e-passport) – Standard Design
British Overseas Territories Passports
Diplomatic and Official Passports
Refugee Travel Documents: A Refugee Travel Document is issued by the UK government (HM Passport Office) to people who have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK, under the 1951 Refugee Convention. It serves as a substitute for a national passport, allowing international travel when the person cannot safely use or obtain one from their country of origin. Nonimmigrant visas issued to bearers of these travel documents should reflect the visa reciprocity schedule of his/her nationality or origin, even if the bearer has "indefinite leave to remain" in the United Kingdom.
Validity
Travel restrictions
Bearers of U.K. (British) Passports who are not U.K. Citizens: The following provides guidance on the various categories of British nationality and citizenship, and the respective reciprocal treatment to which each is entitled. British citizens are identified in the passport by the words: "BRITISH CITIZEN." This is noted on the nationality line on the machine-readable passports. Only British citizens are entitled to travel on the Visa Waiver Program.
*Defining A British Subject: British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not a British citizen.
British Nationality Type |
Eligible for VWP/ESTA without visa? |
Conditions (if any) |
British Citizen |
Yes |
Must hold a valid biometric passport that meets ESTA requirements. |
British Subject* (with Right of Abode or ILR in UK) |
Yes |
Passport (or documentation) must show Right of Abode / Indefinite Leave to Remain. |
British Subject (without Right of Abode or ILR) |
No |
Not eligible. |
British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) |
Generally, no |
Only eligible if they also hold full British citizenship or Right of Abode. |
British National (Overseas) – BN(O) |
No |
BN(O) status alone does not qualify. |
British Overseas Citizen (BOC) |
No |
Not eligible. |
British Protected Person (BPP) |
No |
Not eligible. |
The following chart depicts the reciprocity for bearers of British passports:
British Citizens |
U.K. reciprocity, VWPP |
Irish-born British subjects (Have right of abode in the U.K.) |
U.K. reciprocity |
Other British subjects and nationals who have leave to remain on right of abode |
U.K. reciprocity |
Other British subjects and nationals who do not have leave to remain or right of abode in the U.K. |
Reciprocity of country of birth |
Hong Kong-born British subjects and nationals (British passports) |
Hong Kong reciprocity |
Historic Passports
Series C (2020-2025):
Burgundy EU and non-EU Passports
Channel Islands and Isle of Man Passports
Old Blue (Hardback) Passports
British Visitor Passports (BVP)
Fees:
Document Name: British Passport
Issuing Authority: His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Navy Blue with gold embossing, Polycarbonate data page, Embedded RFID chip, Machine-readable zone (MRZ).
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing personnel title.
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Fastest method is applying online via gov.uk website.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: HMPO also handles passports for Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, and Gibraltar.
A deed poll is a legal document that proves a change of name in the United Kingdom. Guidance on how to obtain a deed can be found below:
A UK Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) legally recognizes a transgender person’s affirmed gender. Guidance on how to obtain a GRC can be found below:
London, England (Embassy)
Mailing Address:
PSC 801 Box 6
FPO AE 09498-4006
Street Address:
33 Nine Elms Lane
London
SW11 7US
Tel: 011-44- 20-7499-9000
Fax: 011-44-20-7495-5012
Belfast, Northern Ireland (Consulate General)
Mailing Address:
PSC 801 Box 40
FPO AE 09498-4040
Street Address:
U.S. Consulate General Belfast
Danesfort House
223 Stranmillis Road
Belfast BT9 5GR
Tel: 44-2890-386100
Fax: 44-2890-687773
U.S. Embassy London provides immigrant visas for:
London also provides nonimmigrant visas for all of the above except for Northern Ireland which is served by Belfast.
The Northern Ireland area includes the counties of:
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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