Getting married in the US

[catherine.85 0]

My boyfriend proposed to me a couple of days ago and we are planning to get married in a couple of weeks! I'm so happy and excited, but worried about some things. I'm a Canadian and have been staying with him as a tourist since January. I originally intended to go back to Canada, but we had some trouble at the border in January and I thought it would be hard to enter the US again. So we started talking about getting married and then filing for adjustment of status from within the US.

I have a few questions:

1. I'm worried that they will think I entered the US with the intention of getting married all along. Does it help to bring proof that I originally intended to return? I have a return airplane ticket to Canada that I didn't use.

2. We want to have a quick wedding at city hall so that we can start applying for a green card. We will have a larger wedding with family this summer. Will they care at the visa interview that we had 2 weddings?

Thanks for your help everyone

[Starburst 4]

My boyfriend proposed to me a couple of days ago and we are planning to get married in a couple of weeks! I'm so happy and excited, but worried about some things. I'm a Canadian and have been staying with him as a tourist since January. I originally intended to go back to Canada, but we had some trouble at the border in January and I thought it would be hard to enter the US again. So we started talking about getting married and then filing for adjustment of status from within the US.

I have a few questions:

1. I'm worried that they will think I entered the US with the intention of getting married all along. Does it help to bring proof that I originally intended to return? I have a return airplane ticket to Canada that I didn't use.

2. We want to have a quick wedding at city hall so that we can start applying for a green card. We will have a larger wedding with family this summer. Will they care at the visa interview that we had 2 weddings?

Thanks for your help everyone

1) Do you have any other proof from back home? An active bank account? Lease? Anything that shows you still have ties there

A plane ticket will help though for sure. When I applied for my status, I actually submitted no proof about ties to back home and it was never questioned. When you DO get married, I would wait a few months before submitting your AOS. It'll give you time to gather stuff anyways. Send in tons of pictures and anything that shows you guys live together (letters from friends, mail, joint bank account ect..)

2) I don't think they mind at all. I submitted copies of contracts for our "big" wedding we are having and never got questioned on it. I think a lot of people have two weddings, who don't plan to get married, but end up do!

Feel free to message me anytime if you have any questions!

- Starurst

[VanessaTony 3,567]

1. the above advice was good about that

2. As long as you're only LEGALLY married the once you're fine. Having a court house wedding (to satisfy the legal) and then a religious ceremony or vow renewal as fine. I mention this because you cannot legally marry the person a second time unless you first divorce or annul. Someone made that mistake and it's a huge mess.

Please also be aware that if you are denied you have no means to appeal the decision and will need to return to Canada to start the CR-1 process. I also personally believe that once you have started the process and have the NOA1 for the CR-1 entering proves easier because you have proof of doing it the "proper" way so why would you waste the money on starting CR-1 if you're just going to enter and AOS (is what they'll think which works for you).

Good luck

Edited March 24, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony