I-130 address in America or Thailand? help please

[chrisf77 0]

I have a few questions please help..

I have been living in Thailand the past 1-2 years and still now. On the I-130 form, should I write my address in Thailand or the address in America? I use to live with my parents in America but I have not been there for the past 1-2 years.

Another question is..

I am only engaged at this point and not married yet. I understand we must be married to file the DCF (IR1/CR1) and we will do the paperwork to be married but we will NOT be having the actual wedding until a year later approximatly.

[gildayjason 2]

Other people can speak to your main question, as I'm not 100% sure in your case.

I just want to strongly recommend that you stop phrasing it as "doing the paperwork"--in the eyes of the government, that is your *actual wedding.* Even if you have the big party later, for these purposes, your wedding is when you civilly contract marriage.

[chrisf77 0]

I just want to strongly recommend that you stop phrasing it as "doing the paperwork"--in the eyes of the government, that is your *actual wedding.* Even if you have the big party later, for these purposes, your wedding is when you civilly contract marriage.

Ok, Thanks for that.. I am new to all of this and up until my oldests brothers marriage I never even knew you had to get a marriage certificate.

So in the goverments, and many peoples eyes, a big party afterwards dont matter at all. They are just traditions passed down the generations.

I'm glad you mentioned about this because now I am feeling that it would be really nice to at lest dress up and go out the night we get our marriage certificate to celebrate since we wont be having a wedding party until a year later.

Anyone please let me know about the address, Do I write my Thai address or American address? confused still

[Ning 619]

Ok, Thanks for that.. I am new to all of this and up until my oldests brothers marriage I never even knew you had to get a marriage certificate.

So in the goverments, and many peoples eyes, a big party afterwards dont matter at all. They are just traditions passed down the generations.

I'm glad you mentioned about this because now I am feeling that it would be really nice to at lest dress up and go out the night we get our marriage certificate to celebrate since we wont be having a wedding party until a year later.

Anyone please let me know about the address, Do I write my Thai address or American address? confused still

In this area Thailand is unique.

You can marry but not complete the paperwork just as you say but that marrage wont be legal under the definition held by the Embassy.

To get the CR1 you will have to register the marrage with the Amphur. This can be done before or after the actual wedding.

In Thailand people sometimes marry & do the paperwork filing with the Amphur & wait up to years to have the wedding party.

To understand many of these things better find Thailand Fever on Amazon. Your fiance can find this book in THailand or you could & should send it to her.

If you want further info on the wedding party please let me know. There are traditions to follow. Some of these can be expensive & are not needed to satisfy the culture or family. Thais love a big party. We enjoy it more if someone else is paying for it. Dont become a victim of what you may not understand.

Use your address in the USA.

If you have been living in Thailand as a tourist ect file as such. If you have been there as a legal resident for 6 months or more with the correct visa file DCF in Thailand.

[danthai 0]

I successfully went through this process in Bangkok last year for my Thai wife and to file under DCF you must be a resident of Thailand for 6 months, which you have been, and therefore you use your Thailand address for your current residence. Your US address will come into play when you give your US residency address that you will use when you live in the States.

[rin and john 71]

Here's the process for being "legally" married in Thailand (for a US Citizen).

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/marriage.html

[chrisf77 0]

I successfully went through this process in Bangkok last year for my Thai wife and to file under DCF you must be a resident of Thailand for 6 months, which you have been, and therefore you use your Thailand address for your current residence. Your US address will come into play when you give your US residency address that you will use when you live in the States.

Thanks, this is what I wanted to know

Here's the process for being "legally" married in Thailand (for a US Citizen).

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/marriage.html

This is also what I was looking for, Thanks also