non-binding religious wedding allowed?

[orion44 0]

Hello all,

I have applied for a K1 visa because my goal is to get my fiance to California as soon as possible. Also, I would like to have a ceremony in the Philippines for us, her friends and family before we leave. I understand that if the ceremony does not include a marriage license, a certificate of singleness, or any other paperwork, it is not considered a binding ceremony and is allowed under US law. I intend to get a affadavit from the minister as well as the head of the civil registry that the wedding is indeed a religous vs. a legal ceremony. Is this outside of the guidelines at all and count against her in entering the country? Our intention is to follow the law and hope this is allowed.

Thanks for your input.

[midicat 0]

I've heard a lot of people talking about doing this. Just make sure that the government doesn't think you are already married when the beneficiary comes over or else it could cause problems.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

If the CBP officer at POE finds out you have had a wedding he may refuse entry on a K1.... I know that if it is non legal it should be ok but you know what the officers are like at POE some are very good and some are very bad... they only have to hear the word wedding and they will ask her to prove she is single... it is a very hard thing to do... it is easier to prove you are married...

Be very careful in what you get in writing if it mentions the word wedding/marriage then dont use it at POE...

Good Luck

[Patrick808 0]

Our intention is to follow the law and hope this is allowed.

This has been discussed here and elsewhere at length.

Conclusion: Even if you do everything right, It is not worth the risk.

Having said that, I know that there are social and family pressure to have a commitment ceremony.

If at all possible, have a Fiance introduction or engagement party instead.

Aloha and Best of Luck,

[YuAndDan 153]

One other thing that can hang you are "Wedding" pictures in your bags. If you do take pictures, keep them in a memory card, or send them FED-EX home.

[jsnearline 2]

My wife and I had talked about having a ceremony in the Philippines, but decided it wasn't worth the risk. I was able to work things out with my parish to complete the marriage prep program and have a church wedding here within the 90 day time limit of the K1 visa. That was good enough to satisfy her family that we were starting off right.

[bora bora 1]

I like the idea of an engagement party. Sounds safe and nice.

[William33 110]

orion44,

As others have stated, there are risks in having a "religious" ceremony while applying for a K-1.

If you clearly have a religious ceremony only, keeping that fact to yourselves, this is acceptable.

I did just that, with the intention of actually making it legal for DCF and was unsuccessful in obtaining the legal documentation. After a discussion with the Consular Section, they told me K-1 was my only option, as I could not prove the marriage.

Unfortunately, an immigration officer may have a different take on the matter. Our tax dollars hard at work!!!

If you decide to go forward, be sure to keep the "religious" ceremony to yourselves.

Hello all,

I have applied for a K1 visa because my goal is to get my fiance to California as soon as possible. Also, I would like to have a ceremony in the Philippines for us, her friends and family before we leave. I understand that if the ceremony does not include a marriage license, a certificate of singleness, or any other paperwork, it is not considered a binding ceremony and is allowed under US law. I intend to get a affadavit from the minister as well as the head of the civil registry that the wedding is indeed a religous vs. a legal ceremony. Is this outside of the guidelines at all and count against her in entering the country? Our intention is to follow the law and hope this is allowed.

Thanks for your input.

[TucsonBill 0]

Everything I read, except for the paranoid warnings of some people on VJ, is that a non-binding religious ceremony is permitted, quite normal and acceptable. I even wrote a letter to both USCIS and to the Embassy and received a reply, (from the Embassy in Thailand), that it was fine to do this. I even posted here our PRE-wedding photos here on this site. I figure on the off chance that we get an idiot at the POE he can talk to his supervsor. I think all the worry is overblown. I'm doing it, and I'm not hiding it.

This is just my opinion, for what it's worth.

Bill

PS I got an RFE for proof that I had made purchases / bank withdrawls in Thailand, and one of the items I sent back was the receipt for our wedding photos and explained that it was customary to have these made in advance of a wedding in Thailand as we planned to have a non-binding religious ceremony there. Next thing I got was my NOA2.

[sunandmoon 450]

not all Embassy's are the same. at Manila there is the high fraud factor to consider. if you proceed with a regilous ceromony, make no mention of it at the interview. wedding photos, referring to you as her husband, etc...

[mRx 16]

Im doing the same thing as Bill in a couple days. These damm POE officers have to understand that not every culture has the same beliefs and they too have customs and traditions that need to be considered. Granted as long as you dont sign any legal document.

[aussiewench 9]

Risky Matt an Bill. Will it be worth the denial just on a principal. At the consulate the conofs are in charge and it is up to them. You can't dictate what they should or shouldn't do. I wish you both the best as I'm sure the ones that have gotten denials in the past or turned back at POE for this very reason would do same.

Edited November 29, 2006 by aussiewench

[mRx 16]

Risky Matt an Bill. Will it be worth the denial just on a principal. At the consulate the conofs are in charge and it is up to them. You can't dictate what they should or shouldn't do. I wish you both the best as I'm sure the ones that have gotten denials in the past or turned back at POE for this very reason would do same.

i just honestly dont see how it could be a problem, as long as i do what i swore and affirmed to do, which is "marry my fiancee within 90 days of her entrance into the USA using the K1 visa"... A marriage is a legal contract. And as long as a contract isnt prepared, witnessed, and signed, then its not a wedding. Granted We wont be running off to the airport in a tux and bridal dress.

[aussiewench 9]

Risky Matt an Bill. Will it be worth the denial just on a principal. At the consulate the conofs are in charge and it is up to them. You can't dictate what they should or shouldn't do. I wish you both the best as I'm sure the ones that have gotten denials in the past or turned back at POE for this very reason would do same.

i just honestly dont see how it could be a problem, as long as i do what i swore and affirmed to do, which is "marry my fiancee within 90 days of her entrance into the USA using the K1 visa"... A marriage is a legal contract. And as long as a contract isnt prepared, witnessed, and signed, then its not a wedding. Granted We wont be running off to the airport in a tux and bridal dress.

good plan lol

Just be careful that you don't give them anything that can be construed as a legal marriage.

[mRx 16]

Risky Matt an Bill. Will it be worth the denial just on a principal. At the consulate the conofs are in charge and it is up to them. You can't dictate what they should or shouldn't do. I wish you both the best as I'm sure the ones that have gotten denials in the past or turned back at POE for this very reason would do same.

i just honestly dont see how it could be a problem, as long as i do what i swore and affirmed to do, which is "marry my fiancee within 90 days of her entrance into the USA using the K1 visa"... A marriage is a legal contract. And as long as a contract isnt prepared, witnessed, and signed, then its not a wedding. Granted We wont be running off to the airport in a tux and bridal dress.

good plan lol

Just be careful that you don't give them anything that can be construed as a legal marriage.

Oh yes, I didnt think much of it until you mentioned it, but i will heed your advice about not advertising it. Definetely dont want to reach the end, and then get turned back.