Where to get married - DCF

[Konabear 0]

Hi,

I stumbled across this great website when trying to get my head around the complex immigration process!!

I'm a US Citizen, living and working in the UK and engaged to a UK citizen (i've been here 6 years, studying and now working). When we get married we would like to move to the States. From my research it seems the best way to do this is via DCF.

Before I get married i'd like to know if to apply for DCF if I have to get married in the UK? Does this make things easier ? We have a wedding party next year in the States however thought we could do the official paper signing and kick off the process before this.

I'd be keen to know if anyone else here has done this? and will this affect the proof of relationship status?

Thanks in advance

Carly

[bt1 42]

Hi,

I stumbled across this great website when trying to get my head around the complex immigration process!!

I'm a US Citizen, living and working in the UK and engaged to a UK citizen (i've been here 6 years, studying and now working). When we get married we would like to move to the States. From my research it seems the best way to do this is via DCF.

Before I get married i'd like to know if to apply for DCF if I have to get married in the UK? Does this make things easier ? We have a wedding party next year in the States however thought we could do the official paper signing and kick off the process before this.

I'd be keen to know if anyone else here has done this? and will this affect the proof of relationship status?

Thanks in advance

Carly

It doesn't matter where you get married, but in order to do DCF you have to be living abroad (i.e. other than the US). So if you do DCF after marrying in the UK and you still reside in the UK at the time you file, then this is OK: you would probably have your visa by the time you want to have a party in the US and you could then move to the US permanently at that time. Not every country allows DCF: I am not sure if the UK is one of those countries, someone from the UK may be able to answer that.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

No, you can get married wherever you want in the world- UK, USA or elsewhere. The only thing that matters is that you are legally married, and you, the petitioner, has been living abroad for at least 6 months immediately prior to filing.

[Konabear 0]

Thanks guys. I think we will go down the paper marriage in the UK, then apply on the back of that. No doubt i'll have more questions before I apply for the DCF. This website has been stored to bookmarks!!!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi,

I stumbled across this great website when trying to get my head around the complex immigration process!!

I'm a US Citizen, living and working in the UK and engaged to a UK citizen (i've been here 6 years, studying and now working). When we get married we would like to move to the States. From my research it seems the best way to do this is via DCF.

Before I get married i'd like to know if to apply for DCF if I have to get married in the UK? Does this make things easier ? We have a wedding party next year in the States however thought we could do the official paper signing and kick off the process before this.

I'd be keen to know if anyone else here has done this? and will this affect the proof of relationship status?

Thanks in advance

Carly

The London website instructions http://london.usembassy.gov/dhs/uscis/i130filing.html no longer say student visas don't count for DCF residency, but you did say you are now working there so it seems like you have UK approved "residency" anyway.

Marry in any country as long as you get a marriage certificate, then apply. Don't worry too much about proof of relationship You don't have to have a big wedding or show photo albums and wedding rings for your London interview. Living in the same country, I'm sure you've got some photos..maybe even share a residence already.

Once your petition is submitted to the USCIS office in London, your next process to learn is what happens once the petition is approved and sent to the Immigrant Visa unit in London. That's here http://london.usembassy.gov/ivprocess.html and here http://london.usembassy.gov/ds2001.html

The thing to study is the Affidavit of Support the US citizen needs to provide. Form I-864 is taken to the interview. Not having a job in the US, you will likely need a joint sponsor (in the US) who will also fill out an I-864 on your husband's behalf. These London FAQs explain that more. http://london.usembassy.gov/faqs-i864.html

One thing that trips up some people living abroad is they failed to file US income tax returns each year. Tax return information for 3 years is asked for on Form I-864. If you haven't filed, then now is the time to catch up so you'll be ready for your interview.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Thanks guys. I think we will go down the paper marriage in the UK, then apply on the back of that. No doubt i'll have more questions before I apply for the DCF. This website has been stored to bookmarks!!!

I emailed this address last week to enquire about our eligibility, and they replied same day (although it's easter weekend now, so I expect they're not replying to much til Tuesday). You might find it helpful if you want to check the same: USCIS.London@uscis.dhs.gov