AOS scared.

[RobynSway2709 0]

how long does it usually take from filing to it being initially approved?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

3-7 days once received at the Chicago Lockbox. Sometimes longer. Fastest you can send is overnight on a weekday.

if we went to vegas. What is the latest we could file if my VW expires on the 24th?

You can file as soon as you have your marriage certificate.

[amykathleen2005 441]

how long does it usually take from filing to it being initially approved?

You are not approved in any way until they process it in 70-90ish days. All you have to worry about for now is that it is accepted and that you receive the Notice of Action to say they are processing.

You really are in a difficult situation. I would say go home and file for a visa to come back over. You are from a VWP country so your process should not be too difficult barring additional circumstances.

[RobynSway2709 0]

What happens if you overstay a few days ?? or a couple of weeks? my fiance could try get a UK visa but they not given any till they start again on the 1st of december.

[Stanley Hermosill 1]

Is it possible to get some kind of "temporary" confirmation of marriage? perhaps a notarized document from the city clerk? I feel like this may help.

[SisJ 13]

today is the 10th meaning you have 14 days to file. if you go to Vegas within this week or even before lets say the 17th and mail the package overnight by the 19th i think you should receive your NOA1 before the 24 when his VW expires....

Why can't you get a licence the same day in California? isn't there anyway around it? I got married in North Carolina and was also told i would have to wait a week, but we were able to sweet talk the judge at the courthouse to "walk" our license downstairs to the registrar of deeds so we were able to get our license on the spot took about an hr from weeding to license in hand...I know every state is different but there's no sin in trying your luck.

[RobynSway2709 0]

We have the licence and i thought we may just be able to send a copy of that and attach a cover letter saying that we dont have the certificate yet. We really dont know what to do and want more than anything not to have to be apart.

[Rob and Jill 82]

What happens if you overstay a few days ?? or a couple of weeks? my fiance could try get a UK visa but they not given any till they start again on the 1st of december.

OK, first you have been given the advice you need to be given in this thread. Some of this advice is questionable according to the terms of the TOS (in my opinion). Second, you're going to have to make a choice. Have your fiance stay and risk getting a PERMANENT BAN, or send your fiance home and wait it out like everyone else who has filed for a Visa and risk very little.

There is absolute NOTHING that says your husband/fiance cannot visit during the immgiration process. We all know it's hard to be separated. Most of us here have been separated from our Significant Others during this process, but if you 100% for certain do not want to risk a ban, then get married and send your fiance home while you file all of the paperwork "properly".

[SisJ 13]

We have the licence and i thought we may just be able to send a copy of that and attach a cover letter saying that we dont have the certificate yet. We really dont know what to do and want more than anything not to have to be apart.

how long ago were you married? why don't you go to the court house to see if they can give it to you sooner...if not i think you should listen to the above suggestions of having your husband return and then apply for the right visa..or maybe even come back on another VW??? instead of try to rush the process and having him overstay?

Oh and i meant to say we received the certificate the same day not the license :-)

Edited November 10, 2010 by SisJ

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Have your fiance stay and risk getting a PERMANENT BAN, or send your fiance home and wait it out like everyone else who has filed for a Visa and risk very little.

She is not risking a permanent ban, but rather a denial and possible deportation, which is obviously very serious, but not a permanent ban.

[KVPandPKP 0]

I would recommend that you get married here and then your fiance leave. Your leaving it to close to the end of the VWP permit expiration. If you file and dont get the 130 NOA 1 by the time VWP expires you may not be in a good situation, also remember that you have to declare what visa your fiance is on and when it expires on the application. Your also have to relaize were are approaching holidays (Thanksgiving) USCIS may be slowing down with people taking time off, so things may be staked up there too.

As most of us have recommended it would be better for your fiance to leave and you then proceed to file for a CR1.

I would say other wise if you were not to close to your VWP from expiring.

And dont get us wrong , we do know how hard it is to be apart form our loved ones, but you rather not complicate matters where it could really prolong you and your fiance from being together.

[Justine+David 218]

Seriously, listen to the posters here. Do you really want to risk your spouse being deported?

I felt that it wasn't a risk for my husband I to take while we were researching this process because I love him too much to risk that sort of trouble...

[james&olya 1,121]

Go straight to vegas, get married immediately and send as complete an application as you can by overnight mail to the texas lockbox. If you get the NOA-1 before his visa waiver expires you have gotten in under the wire. Good Luck!!!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Don't send it to Texas, that's the wrong place! lol

[RobynSway2709 0]

how long does the CR1 take? usually.?