Marriage and the I-130 for a DCF

[vylex 0]

Hi,

Is there some time frame required after marriage (minimum) before I can apply for an I-130 at the Consulate?

Also for those that are intending to marry or have married, where do you plan to or where did you get married? I know it states that there is no required place, just a valid marriage certificate. I want to marry my fiancee later this year but I don't want to do it under a false pretense. How have you done it so as not to create suspicion during the DCF application process. I am confused because it seems that the only way to marry my fiance in the US is to do it during a visit or when I visit her in Australia. However, both ways would seem suspicious if I were to state my intention to marry from reading stories on the internet even though we do not plan to stay over the allowed periods. Thanks for any insight or suggestions.

Thanks!

[CarolineM 0]

For DCF you must be married before you file. Doesn't matter how long before. Some have done it just DAYS after the wedding...I would do the marriage in Oz and then file on that same trip...or at least what you can do with these new rules.

But either way is fine - you can get married anywhere. We got married in Oz because I felt it was less suspisious than if he came to the states on a visitors visa and then got married...but again doesnt matter.

have you read the guides? They are VERY helpful and are a great starting point.

[vylex 0]

For DCF you must be married before you file. Doesn't matter how long before. Some have done it just DAYS after the wedding...I would do the marriage in Oz and then file on that same trip...or at least what you can do with these new rules.

But either way is fine - you can get married anywhere. We got married in Oz because I felt it was less suspisious than if he came to the states on a visitors visa and then got married...but again doesnt matter.

have you read the guides? They are VERY helpful and are a great starting point.

Thanks Karo! Yes, I spent half the work day yesterday reading them.

I was able to get the information regarding the process after the marriage. I was just in the dark about the situation before the marriage. I guess I could marry her anywhere, as long as I am not trying to keep her in the country afterwards. Thanks, I was more concerned with limiting any suspicious thoughts. I was really excited to find out that this process is what we've been looking for! It works out even better since she lives just outside of Sydney. I think I'll marry her in Sydney. That's where we fell in love anyway.

[Lunamel 0]

The only thing about timing you need to know is that you now need an official copy of your marriage certificate to file the I-130 (previously, it was sufficient to have the unofficial copy the celebrant gives you on the day of the marriage). You might want to check with the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages in Sydney to see how long that will take. In Melbourne, I was told it will take 2 weeks for the official certificate, though I remember reading somewhere that it's quicker in Sydney.

[vylex 0]

The only thing about timing you need to know is that you now need an official copy of your marriage certificate to file the I-130 (previously, it was sufficient to have the unofficial copy the celebrant gives you on the day of the marriage). You might want to check with the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages in Sydney to see how long that will take. In Melbourne, I was told it will take 2 weeks for the official certificate, though I remember reading somewhere that it's quicker in Sydney.

Ahh, thanks for the info Lunamel! As for an "official copy" of the certificate, is that something we request from the Registry as well or is a notarized copy good enough? Thanks again so much for that info!

[Lunamel 0]

The official copy is simply the document that you get from Births Deaths and Marriages confirming the marriage. The other document, that used to be acceptable for immigration purposes but now isn't, is the unregistered certificate of marriage that the celebrant/priest will give you on the day of the wedding. Hope that helps!

[vylex 0]

The official copy is simply the document that you get from Births Deaths and Marriages confirming the marriage. The other document, that used to be acceptable for immigration purposes but now isn't, is the unregistered certificate of marriage that the celebrant/priest will give you on the day of the wedding. Hope that helps!

Thanks! I confused the "official copy" with a "notarized duplicate from the original official copy".

[meauxna 15]

The official copy is simply the document that you get from Births Deaths and Marriages confirming the marriage. The other document, that used to be acceptable for immigration purposes but now isn't, is the unregistered certificate of marriage that the celebrant/priest will give you on the day of the wedding. Hope that helps!

Thanks! I confused the "official copy" with a "notarized duplicate from the original official copy".

It doesn't need to be notarized---just the officially registered copy. Submit a photocopy, retain the original and take it when you are there in person, for them to examine.

[villagespin2003 0]

I got married on Monday afternoon and Tuesday at 9am we went to the US Embassy in Slovenia to file!

So we filed less than 24 hours after we got married and we did have the marriage certificate.

Best of luck, DCF is the greatest!

[vylex 0]

It doesn't need to be notarized---just the officially registered copy. Submit a photocopy, retain the original and take it when you are there in person, for them to examine.

Thanks for the clarification Meauxna!

Villagespin2003: good to hear there are others that married and filed in such a short span. Once I confirm how long it will take to receive the official marriage certificate (planning in Sydney), I can figure out the rest. It's nice to know you got the official copy so quickly! Congrats and good luck with the DCF process! I agree that it is awesome! I pray when my time comes, it goes smoothly.

[meauxna 15]

I pray when my time comes, it goes smoothly.

Just make a good list of what you need, and even prayer won't be necessary.

DCF cases are a smooth shot process anyway--you're just dealing with one small office, and they're usually very nice people, eager to help you.

[vylex 0]

I pray when my time comes, it goes smoothly.

Just make a good list of what you need, and even prayer won't be necessary.

DCF cases are a smooth shot process anyway--you're just dealing with one small office, and they're usually very nice people, eager to help you.

Will do! Thanks! With all the amazing (and dynamic) information from this site, I should be able to get through this. I can't wait for my fiancee and I to see each other again to start the process. I've read so many good stories about the Sydney consulate it excites me even more now. I can't believe we found the process that fits our plans. Kudos to this site and forum as well as to it's contributing members! I hope add good info when my turn is up.

[vylex 0]

I have one more question regarding marriage...

If we were to get married in the US, does my fiancee need some sort of "I am single" certificate? I was checking out the Australian Birth, Death, and Marriage site and they issue those types of certificates.

Alternatively, if we marry in Australia, do I need to present some sort of evidence that I am single and able to marry?

Thanks!

[Lunamel 0]

I have one more question regarding marriage...

If we were to get married in the US, does my fiancee need some sort of "I am single" certificate? I was checking out the Australian Birth, Death, and Marriage site and they issue those types of certificates.

Alternatively, if we marry in Australia, do I need to present some sort of evidence that I am single and able to marry?

Thanks!

Hi vylex. If you get married in Australia, all you will need is your US passport. (And your fiancee will need a copy of her birth certificate.) If you get married in the US, you'll need to check the requirements of the state in which you get married.

[CarolineM 0]

Nope. When you apply for your marriage certificate you must do it ONE MONTH at least before the day of the marriage.

It will ask if you've ever been married...and if you have you must show proof of divorice, otherwise they just put "NEver Validly Married" on your certificiate

Stewart went to the Registry a month before hand with his infor...passport and BC I think...

and the DAY I arrived in Oz...about one week before the wedding, we went in with MY passport so they could finish the processing.