Question - Marriage Before Starting the Immigration Process

[a and m 2]

My fiancee and I are favoring the IR-1/CR-1 path. Given that we will need to get married before beginning immigration, are there any thoughts or wisdom that can be shared about how and where to get married?

Looking into it, things do not look as easy as it seems - example - in Ohio, both parties need a Social Security number to file for the marriage license....Kinda makes getting married here before starting the process impossible.

We are not hung up on elaborate ceremony

We will want the license asap so we can start the Visa process

We are willing to go anywhere in the US or Canada to do it...provided we can.

Thoughts (Las Vegas )

Edited April 10, 2013 by a and m

[Shiobhan 235]

Go to Vegas....Little white Chapel... tell a few close friends ahead of time, get group tickets to fly out there, just book

your hotel separate from the group..say they stay at MGM, bride and groom stays at Ceasars close, but still have

honeymoon privacy....the chapel gives a package deal...call ahead...Nevada don't make you jump thru hoops to get,,

married just have valid IDs, there's also Limo, Tux & brides dress in some pkge plus photos & videos....Circus Circus

is also a reasonable hotel that has a chapel. DONT Jay walk out there LOL good luck

[a and m 2]

Thanks Jihana - I am a seasoned Vegas traveler (maybe 25 times in my life...she and I have been there twice together also)!

The advice on Jaywalking is sound advice

[pocheros 101]

I'm fairly sure an SSN is not required to get married anywhere in the US- it's just an acceptable form of ID that you can use to get married.

I also vote for Vegas! I got married in Vegas (I also live here) and it was very quick. The certificates were ready the next day.

Edited April 10, 2013 by pocheros

[Flames9_RN 358]

1 wants to ensure you get the marriage license back asap! Reading this forum--it appears people getting married in ONTARIO---it can take many months. I know in VA, I did not require a SSN # and we got the paperwork back in a few days,then started the process ( I soon went back to Canada, and visited DC Monthly)

[burnabrenna 19]

If you're from Ontario, don't let the long wait times people are always talking about for marriage certificates scare you! My husband and I contacted our MPP a couple days after our wedding and informed them of our situation and that we needed the certificate quickly to begin immigration proceedings. They contacted the registrar on our behalf and got it expedited and mailed out within 2 days rather than the 10 weeks that the site says.

[hikergirl 277]

We got married on Tybee Island, GA, just outside Savannah on the beach That was nice too. We were allowed to hand carry our marriage license back into the Court Clerk and get our marriage registered right away. Plus a free certified copy.

Went to GA because SC wanted a SSN as well. GA was simple.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

If you're from Ontario, don't let the long wait times people are always talking about for marriage certificates scare you! My husband and I contacted our MPP a couple days after our wedding and informed them of our situation and that we needed the certificate quickly to begin immigration proceedings. They contacted the registrar on our behalf and got it expedited and mailed out within 2 days rather than the 10 weeks that the site says.

Good for you . This is what I have also suggested - use the resources of your Member of Provincial Parliament. He/she have staff hired specifically for this purpose - to help constituents negotiate through the various Provincial governmental red-tape. You are not bothering them by requesting this sort of assistance - they really do want to help you resolve your problem.

[a and m 2]

Excellent Advice all. Thank you for the ideas.

[NikLR 13,227]

We were married in Vernon, BC during the spring outside in a cute park beside a wishing well. One of my favourite places growing up. I've always wanted a spring outdoors wedding . My mom, who is a minister, did the ceremony with some close family present. Had the honeymoon in an amazing house on Big White and the certificate arrived almost exactly a month afterward in the mail.

We thought about Vegas and if I didn't have a daughter we totally we have gone that route!

Edited April 11, 2013 by NikiR