Church Wedding

[Oksana & Max 94]

Here is the question I have.

Me and my fiancee (from Ukraine) filed for K-1 Visa in July and got our NOA1. Obviously there is a long wait for NOA2(been only month tired of waiting).

We were planning to have a religious ceremony in church in Ukraine, but do the court wedding here. Does the religious ceremony can impact our K-1 process.

Thanks for your comments.

[san diego 407]

It may. It depends if it gets registered in any documents. Basically, during the interview for K1 (on the forms) you are claiming that you are not married. If you have a wedding it may be considered as marriage and may force you to cancel K1 and apply for CR1. If I was you I would not risk it...

[Operator 1,927]

Could be a good regional question as the embassy may have an opinion that is country specific. We did it but there was no registration and no documents signed. Well actually it wasn't very religious it was more like a big party/reception.

[J&N* 68]

Doesn't the priest or pastor document it to make it legal? I know in Egypt church weddings must be documented, if this is the case then you'll be married and you won't need a K-1, you'd need a CR-1.

[Oksana & Max 94]

It may. It depends if it gets registered in any documents. Basically, during the interview for K1 (on the forms) you are claiming that you are not married. If you have a wedding it may be considered as marriage and may force you to cancel K1 and apply for CR1. If I was you I would not risk it...

What about if we will do the church ceremony, after the approval. Can she still enter on K1 or we will need to re-apply for CR-1. As far as I know, church weddings in former russian republics are not considered as legal for the court bindings.

[J&N* 68]

What about if we will do the church ceremony, after the approval. Can she still enter on K1 or we will need to re-apply for CR-1. As far as I know, church weddings in former russian republics are not considered as legal for the court bindings.

That'd be fraud, you'd be lying. If they find out you'll be denied.

[san diego 407]

Eve after the approval you cannot if this is documented wedding. When you enter on K1 at the POE you have to be free to marry to enter the country. Don't underestimate POE! They ask a lot of questions and CAN deny entry. If they do they will cancel K1 if you are married. Don't complicate things. By getting wedded in Ukraine you are creating potential inadmissability issues and create absolutely unnecessary problems. Just don't do it. If you reaaaaally want to have church wedding in Ukraine wait for K1, get married in a quick civil ceremony here in US, file for AOS, get AP card and do whatever you like in Ukraine!

[Oksana & Max 94]

Eve after the approval you cannot if this is documented wedding. When you enter on K1 at the POE you have to be free to marry to enter the country. Don't underestimate POE! They ask a lot of questions and CAN deny entry. If they do they will cancel K1 if you are married. Don't complicate things. By getting wedded in Ukraine you are creating potential inadmissability issues and create absolutely unnecessary problems. Just don't do it. If you reaaaaally want to have church wedding in Ukraine wait for K1, get married in a quick civil ceremony here in US, file for AOS, get AP card and do whatever you like in Ukraine!

What about if they don't document it. How is USCIS will find out about that? (obviously I wont tell them).

[san diego 407]

They may! And the fact that "you won't tell them" is outright FRAUD. If anyone.. ever.. even 20 years later after she becomes a citizen finds out that you did get married. Maybe from friends from the wedding that were there and do not particularly like your fiancee.. She will get deported and will get tripped of her USC status. Is this worth it?? I am sorry, obviously, you are not taking my advice. You want to committ fraud go ahead. I do not advice it.

[Oksana & Max 94]

They may! And the fact that "you won't tell them" is outright FRAUD. If anyone.. ever.. even 20 years later after she becomes a citizen finds out that you did get married. Maybe from friends from the wedding that were there and do not particularly like your fiancee.. She will get deported and will get tripped of her USC status. Is this worth it?? I am sorry, obviously, you are not taking my advice. You want to committ fraud go ahead. I do not advice it.

Actually I don't want to commit fraud. I just wanted to explore all the angles. I really appreciate the input and advice. Also this fraud could impact me, as I am working for Federal Government and holding Security Clearance, which I don't want to loose because of that.

Will go with your advice, or we will just do a church ceremony here.

[J&N* 68]

I read a story here once, when the couple had a religious ceremony (the beneficiary was from Iraq I think) and they hid it and the USCIS found out and accused them of fraud and misrepresentation, and the beneficiary got banned from the US. Think of your priorities.

[bigdog 376]

If you are doing a K1 finance visa, get married after your approval and entry to USA. If married in other country file for CR! and wait for green card, then travel to us.

[Ellie-n-Vladimir 3]

Actually I don't want to commit fraud. I just wanted to explore all the angles. I really appreciate the input and advice. Also this fraud could impact me, as I am working for Federal Government and holding Security Clearance, which I don't want to loose because of that.

Will go with your advice, or we will just do a church ceremony here.

But reading your previous posts you sound like you dont hold a sec.clearance. I know what I'm talking about -I'm in the process of obtaining a TS.

Now, getting to the point. In Ukraine, all churches ask you first for a civil marriage cert before they proceed w/ the ceremony. Oksana can clear this thing out by visiting the nearest church in her area in Ukraine. If the marriage cert exists, you're ineligible for the K-1. --it's clear as a day outside, 3:18pm PST.

Edited August 31, 2011 by Ellie-n-Vladimir

[Oksana & Max 94]

But reading your previous posts you sound like you dont hold a sec.clearance. I know what I'm talking about -I'm in the process of obtaining a TS.

Now, getting to the point. In Ukraine, all churches ask you first for a civil marriage cert before they proceed w/ the ceremony. Oksana can clear this thing out by visiting the nearest church in her area in Ukraine. If the marriage cert exists, you're ineligible for the K-1. --it's clear as a day outside, 3:18pm PST.

I just was trying to understand if the church wedding could impact K-1. And I already spoke to my fiancee, and we decided that she will come here and then we will get an AP and will go there and do church ceremony for her family.

On the side note. I am holding a TS already for 3 years.

And this is a reason, I don't want to commit any fraud. Could be I misspoke it in one messages which got you confused.

[Ellie-n-Vladimir 3]

I just was trying to understand if the church wedding could impact K-1. And I already spoke to my fiancee, and we decided that she will come here and then we will get an AP and will go there and do church ceremony for her family.

On the side note. I am holding a TS already for 3 years.

And this is a reason, I don't want to commit any fraud. Could be I misspoke it in one messages which got you confused.

Good for you. You still have 2yr left . And for me - you're here - I can ask you some questions.

Dont you think that you need to report your current foreign connections? Could create a presumption of foreign influence.. I did. Provided a list of all contacts there

And I told them I'm going through the K-1. They said ok., ..for now. Will see. Good luck w/ your journey, wish your a speedy one!

Edited August 31, 2011 by Ellie-n-Vladimir