worst case scenario - help!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

The OP mentioned having an arrangement with a minister to perform the actual ceremony but not sign the certificate until after the visa is granted. That is not too kosher, either on the part of the "minister" (hello ethics) and the OP.

The Embassies are quite clear when they ask you specifically NOT to make any plans until you have your visa. I know how much the whole process svcks, is unfair, bla bla; but it is pretty clear.

[Fandango 1,440]

I don't get the whole 'we'll get married but we're not married' thing, but hope it works out for you in the best way possible...

[Damian&Kelly 16]

I don't understand, maybe it's just the wedding ceremony they are having, and that's what she means by not sign any papers, I've seen this before, but I may be wrong?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I've seen many of cases on here with the "fake" wedding theme, but all did not pull it off sucessfully. One couple married in the home country without signing papers so the immigrant girls family could host her wedding with all the traditions. At their interview, the CO had in their file pictures from their wedding. They were flabbergasted that he had those, but with My Space and Facebook, your pictures on the internet could be posted and viewed by anyone. Anyway the fiance visa was denied because the CO determined that they were already married and she was not eligible for a K1.

Another couple had purchased a marriage license in the states, but had a change of heart and never used the license. They never had a ceremony or marriage, nor was the license ever submitted for recording a marriage in County records. They decided not to marry on a tourist visa, but for the fiance to return to home country and start the K1 process. The record of having a marriage license caused them a denial at the K1 interview. Their story and cause had been taken up by a newspaper who was publicizing the unfairness of the decision since they had not married and were trying to do things legally.

[Nik+Heather 121]

Another couple had purchased a marriage license in the states, but had a change of heart and never used the license. They never had a ceremony or marriage, nor was the license ever submitted for recording a marriage in County records. They decided not to marry on a tourist visa, but for the fiance to return to home country and start the K1 process. The record of having a marriage license caused them a denial at the K1 interview. Their story and cause had been taken up by a newspaper who was publicizing the unfairness of the decision since they had not married and were trying to do things legally.

EEEK! Marriage licenses in Arizona are good for a year, and we almost went to get ours when Nik was visiting in March (before NOA2 even) so that there would be just one less thing to do before the wedding. Glad we didn't after hearing that!!

[ealachan 0]

The OP mentioned having an arrangement with a minister to perform the actual ceremony but not sign the certificate until after the visa is granted. That is not too kosher, either on the part of the "minister" (hello ethics) and the OP.

The Embassies are quite clear when they ask you specifically NOT to make any plans until you have your visa. I know how much the whole process svcks, is unfair, bla bla; but it is pretty clear.

FIRST of all - don't judge me on whether or not I'm "kosher" when you don't even know me, and you didn't take the time to actually understand the situation.

[ealachan 0]

I don't understand, maybe it's just the wedding ceremony they are having, and that's what she means by not sign any papers, I've seen this before, but I may be wrong?

Yes, that's what I was asking about doing, and no one seems to have gotten that I was asking in a WORST CASE SCENARIO context. I don't WANT to do it that way, by any means...but if it comes down to doing it that way vs. having my family be out thousands of dollars for a wedding that we've already put deposits down on, yeah...I'm going to choose the "fake" wedding ceremony.

[baron555 934]

The OP mentioned having an arrangement with a minister to perform the actual ceremony but not sign the certificate until after the visa is granted. That is not too kosher, either on the part of the "minister" (hello ethics) and the OP.

The Embassies are quite clear when they ask you specifically NOT to make any plans until you have your visa. I know how much the whole process svcks, is unfair, bla bla; but it is pretty clear.

FIRST of all - don't judge me on whether or not I'm "kosher" when you don't even know me, and you didn't take the time to actually understand the situation.

I think I understand yoiu perfectly. You jumped the gun, going against what everyone has been telling you and also would have told you if you had asked prior to making all these plans.

You have four options as I see it:

1. Hope the interview happens before the wedding. Then all is good.

2. If interview is after the date, Cancel the wedding and make the visa process your top priority.

3. If interview is after the date, proceed with the fake wedding and pray to God that the Embassy does not find out and grants you the K-1.

4. If interview is after the date, proceed with the fake wedding and if the Embassy does find out and denies you the K-1. Then you refile for the CR-1 and all is well.

[ealachan 0]

The OP mentioned having an arrangement with a minister to perform the actual ceremony but not sign the certificate until after the visa is granted. That is not too kosher, either on the part of the "minister" (hello ethics) and the OP.

The Embassies are quite clear when they ask you specifically NOT to make any plans until you have your visa. I know how much the whole process svcks, is unfair, bla bla; but it is pretty clear.

FIRST of all - don't judge me on whether or not I'm "kosher" when you don't even know me, and you didn't take the time to actually understand the situation.

I think I understand yoiu perfectly. You jumped the gun, going against what everyone has been telling you and also would have told you if you had asked prior to making all these plans.

You have four options as I see it:

1. Hope the interview happens before the wedding. Then all is good.

2. If interview is after the date, Cancel the wedding and make the visa process your top priority.

3. If interview is after the date, proceed with the fake wedding and pray to God that the Embassy does not find out and grants you the K-1.

4. If interview is after the date, proceed with the fake wedding and if the Embassy does find out and denies you the K-1. Then you refile for the CR-1 and all is well.

I'm not denying that we jumped the gun, however that's not a reflection on either my or my fiance's personal character or morals as was implied by the "kosher" remark. I'm not here to fight with anyone about symantics, regardless. We're in this situation and we're doing everything we can to get out of it, and I appreciate any constructive comments or suggestions anyone has.

[*julez* 124]

Having read this entire thread, it seems that you want someone to tell you that if you go ahead with the fake wedding (worst case scenario, of course) that you guys will be OK come interview time at the embassy. There is no way any of us here can give you that assurance. Others have done what you propose successfully, while others have failed. It is a gamble.

Your best bet, IMO, is to tryto get the embassy moving on getting an interview scheduled. You still have a good chunk of time left to make that happen.

Good luck to you guys.

[ealachan 0]

Having read this entire thread, it seems that you want someone to tell you that if you go ahead with the fake wedding (worst case scenario, of course) that you guys will be OK come interview time at the embassy. There is no way any of us here can give you that assurance. Others have done what you propose successfully, while others have failed. It is a gamble.

Your best bet, IMO, is to tryto get the embassy moving on getting an interview scheduled. You still have a good chunk of time left to make that happen.

Good luck to you guys.

Thanks...

I actually emailed my Congressman on Thursday and his office contacted me on Friday. I just got another email from the woman I spoke with, and she said that the Embassy is claiming they're missing paperwork from us, but they haven't said what, and they've never notified us that anything was missing. So...she's going to dig a little deeper and see what the story is.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I'm not denying that we jumped the gun, however that's not a reflection on either my or my fiance's personal character or morals as was implied by the "kosher" remark. I'm not here to fight with anyone about symantics, regardless. We're in this situation and we're doing everything we can to get out of it, and I appreciate any constructive comments or suggestions anyone has.

Relax. I did not attack YOUR morals, but I did put into question any "minister" that would be willing to perform a fake wedding. They are supposed to respond to a higher standard. In any case, I wish you the best of luck; but like *julez* said, no one here is going to tell you "oh sure, go ahead and do the fake wedding, it's all a-o-k".

Seems to me you are upset because you are not getting the responses you want. Too bad.

[ealachan 0]

I'm not denying that we jumped the gun, however that's not a reflection on either my or my fiance's personal character or morals as was implied by the "kosher" remark. I'm not here to fight with anyone about symantics, regardless. We're in this situation and we're doing everything we can to get out of it, and I appreciate any constructive comments or suggestions anyone has.

Relax. I did not attack YOUR morals, but I did put into question any "minister" that would be willing to perform a fake wedding. They are supposed to respond to a higher standard. In any case, I wish you the best of luck; but like *julez* said, no one here is going to tell you "oh sure, go ahead and do the fake wedding, it's all a-o-k".

Seems to me you are upset because you are not getting the responses you want. Too bad.

No, I'm upset at the fact that you basically called myself, my fiance, and the person marrying us all bad people because we're trying to make the best of a crappy situation. You might not have INTENDED to make it sound that way, but you did.

Let's move on, shall we? I'm assuming we're all adults here.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Coolness sister. Best of luck.

[TayRivers 4]

I'm not denying that we jumped the gun, however that's not a reflection on either my or my fiance's personal character or morals as was implied by the "kosher" remark. I'm not here to fight with anyone about symantics, regardless. We're in this situation and we're doing everything we can to get out of it, and I appreciate any constructive comments or suggestions anyone has.

Relax. I did not attack YOUR morals, but I did put into question any "minister" that would be willing to perform a fake wedding. They are supposed to respond to a higher standard. In any case, I wish you the best of luck; but like *julez* said, no one here is going to tell you "oh sure, go ahead and do the fake wedding, it's all a-o-k".

Seems to me you are upset because you are not getting the responses you want. Too bad.

No, I'm upset at the fact that you basically called myself, my fiance, and the person marrying us all bad people because we're trying to make the best of a crappy situation. You might not have INTENDED to make it sound that way, but you did.

Let's move on, shall we? I'm assuming we're all adults here.

No one is calling you a bad person... your lack of patience and planning skills have cause you to have the issues you now have. You are looking for people to tell you it will be ok to have a fake wedding and that all will be ok.. Nobody here can tell you that. Anyone who organizes and pays for their wedding when they have not yet been approved for a visa is asking for trouble. You would be best to contact the people you have booked your wedding with and find out how much it will cost you to change the date if you need to.

Sadly this is not the fault of USCIS, NVC or the Embassy. They all clearly tell anyone applying for a visa to NOT make any plans that can not be changed. You chose to book your wedding not knowing if you will get the visa in time, and now must deal with the results of your actions. Do not risk everything you have already done with regards to getting your visa by having a fake wedding just to please other people. Your immigration journey should be your top priority right now not a wedding, that will come once you have your visa in your hand. You have 6 months to use the visa and then 90 days once you enter the US to be married, that gives you lots of time to plan your wedding.

Good Luck