Can I start CR-1 while tourist visa fiance is still here?

[Caro and Daniel 0]

My girlfriend just came to visit on vacation this month (tourist visa) and we decided to get married shortly there after. She will not be going back for a few weeks. I want to start the CR-1 visa application shortly after we get married in the next few days but I want to know if I should wait until she leaves or can I start it NOW to get the process going and the clock ticking. Also I want to know if there are any issues with us getting married here in the U.S instead of her native country and if she will have any issues coming to visit with her tourist visa while we wait for CR-1 appointment in her country. We did not plan to get married here but we did see we spend less money with not having to translate paper work and we want to be here together quicker rather than later.

In any case, input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[B & G 200]

My girlfriend just came to visit on vacation this month (tourist visa) and we decided to get married shortly there after. She will not be going back for a few weeks. I want to start the CR-1 visa application shortly after we get married in the next few days but I want to know if I should wait until she leaves or can I start it NOW to get the process going and the clock ticking. Also I want to know if there are any issues with us getting married here in the U.S instead of her native country and if she will have any issues coming to visit with her tourist visa while we wait for CR-1 appointment in her country. We did not plan to get married here but we did see we spend less money with not having to translate paper work and we want to be here together quicker rather than later.

In any case, input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

First of all congrats!

Yes you can get married in the US, USCIS doesn't care where you married, just as long as as you hold a valid marriage certificate.

And yes you can start preparing your CR-1 visa petition while girlfriend is in the US. Though you'll have to take into consideration how long it will take for you to receive your marriage certificate. I don't know what the timeline is for Florida but most states will take 2 weeks to a month if not more to send it out to you.

Other than that, nothing is stopping you from filing while she is there.

As for visiting while you are in the process, its really up to the CBP officer at the POE. Your girlfriend should have with her proof of very strong ties to Columbia, such as a job, apartment etc... things that prove she will return back to her country. And even with that all that information with her, its still a gamble.

I don't think I've missed anything, or if I am wrong somewhere, but I'm sure I will be corrected by other posters if I am.

Good luck!

[Ms Hogan 295]

First of all congrats!

Yes you can get married in the US, USCIS doesn't care where you married, just as long as as you hold a valid marriage certificate.

And yes you can start preparing your CR-1 visa petition while girlfriend is in the US. Though you'll have to take into consideration how long it will take for you to receive your marriage certificate. I don't know what the timeline is for Florida but most states will take 2 weeks to a month if not more to send it out to you.

Other than that, nothing is stopping you from filing while she is there.

As for visiting while you are in the process, its really up to the CBP officer at the POE. Your girlfriend should have with her proof of very strong ties to Columbia, such as a job, apartment etc... things that prove she will return back to her country. And even with that all that information with her, its still a gamble.

I don't think I've missed anything, or if I am wrong somewhere, but I'm sure I will be corrected by other posters if I am.

Good luck!

I just want to add to this that the marriage certificate does not necessarily take any time at all. It depends on when the paperwork is filed with the clerk's office as far as I understand. For example, I got married in New York. I let the chapel know that we needed to be able to pick up our marriage certificate asap and the secretary at the chapel actually hand-delivered our paperwork to the clerk's office at 8am on the Monday after our Saturday ceremony. My husband and I went by at noon that same day and paid for and immediately had certified copies in our hands. So I would take the time to ask the officiant where you're getting married how quickly they can turn in your paperwork and let them know how much it would help you to have it handed in asap or maybe you can even take it in yourself. I don't know. And then also contact the clerk's office to find out about their procedures for getting a copy in your hands. Each state and county can be different so I suggest making those inquiries to find out your best option!