Need Help...just starting out!

[LSUAMD 0]

Here's my situation. I just got engaged, and we are planning on having our civil wedding in El Salvador on May 30th (just a few weeks). We are planning to have the Church wedding in January in El Salvador also, so she will be staying there to plan it all. We are hoping that from now until mid January is enough time to get the paperwork done, but I'm not exactly sure of the details...Only thing I have found is the I-130. Maybe that is the only form I need?

Can someone please help me with the process? Someone else told me I have to get the civil wedding in El Salvador validated in the U.S.? Anyone heard of that or know what that means?

Thanks so much in advance!

[YuAndDan 153]

Start by getting married first and then read the I-130 guide here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide1

Then if you wish to pursue the optional K-3 process read here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k3guide

Also consider carefully the K-3, K-3 was a visa type developed at a time when it was taking a very long time for USCIS to approve I-130 petitions, the K-3 allowed the prospective immigrant to enter the USA and wait for the I-130 approval so that they could adjust status or continue with the CR-1 process and interview for a spousal visa, lately USCIS has been tying the I-129F and I-130 together and approving them both at same time, essentially negating the reason for the K-3.

For the most part CR-1 tends to take a bit longer than K-3 to get if you prepare for NVC when they request I-864 fee, and Visa fee, as well as documents requested by NVC. In many cases the CR-1 petition reaches the consulate just before K-3 interview, which causes K-3 to get dropped and the interview becomes a CR-1 visa interview.

K-3:

I-130: $355

I-129F: NONE

Consulate: $131

Adjustment Of Status: $1010 I-485

($1496)

CR-1

I-130: $355

NVC I-864: $70

NVC Visa fee: $400 ($355+$45)

($825)

I see many posts from K-3 holders stating, "Wow this sucks, I am stuck at home because I don't have EAD, DL, etc, or I am having hard time getting added to bank accounts because of NO SSN." K-3 has a 90 day or longer period of limbo while waiting for EAD or Green-card.

K-3 was developed at a time when CR-1 was taking much longer that today, NVC has greatly streamlined the CR-1 process to the point where K-3 becomes irrelevant.

[Eca y Bubu 0]

Definitivamente...

It will help you a lot!!

Civil Wedding validated in US? Never heard that.... At USCIS and NVC didn't say anything about that... just do it with a good lawyer

[Svadharma 11]

To get legally married in El Salvador, I needed a recent (within 90 days) original of my birth certificate with an apostille. I had been previously divorced, so I needed an original or a certified copy of those papers, also with an apostille. All of this had to be translated and a special packet was made... and a lawyer had to sign off on every page.

I found that most lawyers acted like they knew what they were talking about... but really didn't. Some were willing to marry me without all of the correct paperwork, for a fee. Ack!

After we were married, the lawyer filed all of my documents... and these were never returned! So, make a copy if you want one.....

I took my marriage certificate to the County Clerk's office when I returned to the states. They made a copy of it and put it on file. I don't know if this was necessary or not... but, it does make it easier to get Certified Copies if I ever need them in the future.

You need to read all of the instructions for the I-130... and look into the I-129F as well.

[Kenza 1]

All foreign marriages are recognized in the US. If you plan to marry in El Salvador you can go the CR1 route or if you go the K1 route you have to get married in the US before 90 days after arrival.