Help with Peruvian immigrantion laws.

[Hey 0]

Hello, my wife came here back in Oct 2008 and we got married on the K1 visa, we did all the papers in America as told and everything is fine with the American government, but we didn't think to file any new papers telling the Peruvian government we got married or her new address.

She said she read that she may have to pay a 50 dollar fine and go to court if she didn't tell them that she was married with in 90 days.

Is this true? if so what can we do to avoid this from happening and why would they need to know? it's not like we're living in their Country. Any help please?

Also according to what she has read - she is FORCED to vote for a new law that they may pass. She has to vote yes or no regardless of her status living in America, and they don't even allow online access to vote, so that means we have to travel to a Peruvian embassy over 100 miles away to vote for this law.

Does she really have to vote?

Please help, thanks.

Edited September 23, 2010 by Hey

[K and L 27]

The Peruvian Consulate says: (courtesy of chrome's automatic translation)

Regarding the system of fines for Peruvians living abroad, it states:

1. In accordance with Article 224 of Law N º 26859, Peruvian citizens residing abroad have the duty to participate in the vote if general elections and referendums. To do so are required to make address changes at consular offices in order to count your ID with an address abroad.

2. In accordance with Article 4 of Law No. 28 859, citizens listed in the Register of Voters Abroad have the following benefits:

a. If you do not go to pay, are not affected by the fine for failure to vote;

b. If you do not or refuse to attend the Bureau of Suffrage, are assigned to a fine of $ 50, and

c. If you do not attend or refuse to perform the duties of Member of Board, are subject to a fine of $ 50.

3. In accordance with Article 226 of Law N º 26859, the vote takes place on the premises of the consular or where indicated by the consular officer in case of local failure.

So, your wife needs to register as living abroad (which probably will involve a trip to Chicago/Tulsa/Phoenix/Seattle/etc). And if you haven't registered your marriage yet, by all means, take care of that so she doesn't get another fine.