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Simmy

is a courthouse wedding a bad idea for bona fide marriage requirements?

By Simmy in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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Simmy Explorer

Simmy   3

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Well, I'm finally coming to some conclusions on how to proceed thanks to the wonderful community here. I've decided to marry now and go either CR-1 or AOS route (that conversation is happening here), as opposed to going back to Canada and coming back on a K1 to marry. ie. might as well get married now!

So, the idea is to have a courthouse wedding. I called the county here in Oregon and it looks extraordinarily simple to do.

The idea would be to have the courthouse wedding now, and the actual ceremony next year. This way we can proceed with the CR-1 or AOS process as a married couple. My only concern is if this would make it harder to prove a bona fide marriage? As it is, we have no joint property, nor children together. What we DO have is a fair number of pictures (some from Canada, some from the US, and some from Mexico), a lot of people that could write afadavits, and a considerable email and chat log. So, is a civil ceremony now, with intent of having a non-official big family and friends wedding next summer, sufficient in this circumstance? I sure hope so.

And related to this, I'm wondering, does it affect the officers' perception of bona fide marriage whether my fiancee has her last name changed or not? She does plan on doing so, but it seems like it might be simpler to do it later.

Cheers,

Simmy

Feb 2010 - met online

March 2010 - vacationed in Mexico together

April 2010 - Samuel visits Catherine in US for one month

July to December 15, 2010- Samuel visits Catherine in US via B2 visa

August 10, 2010 - married in Medford, OR

September 10, 2010 - submitted AOS application via USPS Priority

September 13, 2010 - AOS package marked as delivered by USPS

September 20, 2010 - electronic notification received from Chicago lockbox

October 20, 2010 - biometrics appointment in Portland, OR

November 15, 2010 - Advanced Parole approved (took 66 days)

December 15, 2010 - January 18 -- Samuel and Catherine visit Samuel's friends in Canada

January 19, 2011 - AOS interview in Portland, OR -- interviewer gives verbal notice of approval (4 months since AOS submission)

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besaangel Proficient

besaangel   18

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Jamaica
 Timeline
Posted

not a bad idea at all...

go for it :thumbs:

6y2gm4.pngE1nrm4.png

01/06/10 - ♥ Got Married ♥

AOS from F-1 visa (2 months 2 1/2 weeks or 82 days)

04/14/10 - Sent AOS Package

04/26/10 - Hardcopy NOAs Received

05/16/10 - Biometrics letter

05/19/12 - Successful Walk-in Biometrics in Dover DE

07/07/10 - Interview Appointment in Philly- July 7 @ 11:05 am APPROVED

07/19/10 - 2 YEAR Green Card received

Removal of Conditions (9 months 1 1/2 weeks or 285 days)

04/08/12 - Eligibility date

04/19/12 - Sent ROC Package

04/26/12 - Hardcopy NOAs Received

05/17/10 - Biometrics letter

05/24/12 - Successful Walk-in Biometrics in Dover DE

01/25/13 - APPROVED- ROC card production ordered

02/05/13 - 10 YEAR Green Card received

Naturalization (5 months 2 days or 155 days)

04/15/13 - Eligibility date

06/07/13 - Sent Package

06/20/13 - Hardcopy NOAs Received

06/27/12 - Successful Walk-in Biometrics in Dover DE

07/05/13 - Interview letter sent/In-line notification

08/14/13 - Interview scheduled in Philly @ 1:30 pm APPROVED

11/07/13 - Oath Ceremony

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MissStacey Mentor

MissStacey   1

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

Not at all. Legally married is legally married. We got married with a JP and a few witnesses- it wasn't an issue at all.

ETA- I have never changed my name- again- not an issue. Many women keep their name.

Edited by MissStacey
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sdw Proficient

sdw   10

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
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Posted

We did the same thing and had no issue at all.

Removal of Conditions: 12/09/2011

ROC check cashed 12/15/11

NOA1 12/13/11

Biometrics 1/6/12 Complete

RFE 9/13/12

RFE package sent back 10/17/12

Card Production Ordered 12/04/12

10 year card arrived in mail 12/10/12

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Simmy Explorer

Simmy   3

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

AWESOME! Thank you.

Feb 2010 - met online

March 2010 - vacationed in Mexico together

April 2010 - Samuel visits Catherine in US for one month

July to December 15, 2010- Samuel visits Catherine in US via B2 visa

August 10, 2010 - married in Medford, OR

September 10, 2010 - submitted AOS application via USPS Priority

September 13, 2010 - AOS package marked as delivered by USPS

September 20, 2010 - electronic notification received from Chicago lockbox

October 20, 2010 - biometrics appointment in Portland, OR

November 15, 2010 - Advanced Parole approved (took 66 days)

December 15, 2010 - January 18 -- Samuel and Catherine visit Samuel's friends in Canada

January 19, 2011 - AOS interview in Portland, OR -- interviewer gives verbal notice of approval (4 months since AOS submission)

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