US+Armenian Living in Germany - DCF?

[jstratm 0]

I wanted to call upon the DCF experts out there because my present situation is a little confusing in the DCF context.

Background: I am a US citizen living in Germany, and my future wife is Armenian. She has a student visa for Germany (and has been there over 1.5 years studying), I am in the military stationed in Germany.

We both technically reside in Germany, so can we start DCF in Frankfurt? US citizens do this all the time with German citizens, but is it possible for a non-citizen (Armenian student on a visa)?

Unfortunately, I am in Afghanistan and will only be back for 2 weeks over the summer for vacation, then will return permanently back from Afghanistan less than 2 months from the time I leave Germany for the US. So, we plan to get married over that 2 week period in summer and immediate start filing for DCF if it is possible. Yes, we understand it takes too long in Germany to do marriage certification, so Denmark would be our best bet.

We just want to have that visa ready to go by the time I have to leave Germany in early spring 2012. K1 is not a good option because of the adjustment of status hassle (and she plans to start working almost immediately upon entering the US).

Thanks for any insight! I have no ability to call the Frankfurt office from here, and I am trying to save her the ridiculous amount of money it takes to call from a German cell phone.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Yes you can file DCF- the main thing is that the USC is residing abroad, which you are.

Can you do everything necessary in two weeks, including sending in your I-130 etc? I suppose you could send it from Afghanistan, if you are officially still residing in Germany according to your papers. Contact your JAG office/ USCIS stationed on base, they should be able to help.

[jstratm 0]

Thanks for the insight. Between here and confirmations I'm getting from others in the military, it looks very possible. The two weeks will not be a huge restriction; if we do decide to pursue this route, we can get to and from Denmark in 3-4 days. From there, looks like we can always mail everything in and I (USC) would never have to set foot in Frankfurt. We would certainly try to go in person, as I live within two hours of the city. I am still a resident (under SOFA) in Germany, regardless of temporary deployments, so no issues there. Perhaps it isn't romantic to go from engagement to marraige within a day or two, but it sure sounds like it will make our lives much less stressful when I try to leave Germany right after this deployment. Thanks again.

Edited April 29, 2011 by jstratm