My fiancee wants to get married in her country the next day after we get approved K-1

[Ceilla 7]

My fiance ask the embassy in my country about your question. I copy what he ask and what the answer. i hope it will help you.

Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2013 5:32 AM

To: Jakarta, IV

Subject: K1 Visa in Progress

Hello,

My Indonesian fiancee and I are in the process of getting our I-129f approved through USCIS, and anticipate it will be coming through to the Jakarta embassy eventually. We are considering having a family celebration in Indonesia before she comes over here. With no religious figures, no paperwork, nothing that would create any legal marriage between the two of us - simply an opportunity for the family to celebrate since they will be unable to attend our wedding when she comes to the US.

I've read online that some people have had problems with Consular Officers denying K1 visas because of these celebrations. I want to be sure we don't run afoul of State Department rules. Can you clarify, will the Jakarta embassy issue a K1 visa if we have a family celebration that does not result in any government/religious organization recognizing a marriage?

Thank you for your time,

AND THIS IS WHAT THEY ANSWER...

Thank you for your email.

You can have a family celebration here in Indonesia. Do not register this ceremony to the KUA or Civil registry Office. If you do so, your fiancé will not eligible for a K-1 visa status.

Regards,

IMMIGRANT VISA UNIT

Embassy of the United States of America I Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan #5 I Jakarta 10110 I Indonesia

Email: JakIV@state.gov I Fax +62 (21) 385-7189 I internet: http://jakarta.usembassy.gov

[Cathi 5,748]

Oh no, don't start a theological debate here...

it isn't a theological debate...Catholics ARE Christian..it's a FACT not a debate

[bigdog 376]

Everyone gave you good advice. If she wants to get married at home, fly there do it and reapply as married just more money and more time. Write a letter and close your K-1, advise them you decided to get married first and reapply. What ever you do don't commit fraud. If you don't think USCIS looks at these sites your kidding yourself, easy to use facial recoginition and compare your VJ photo and statements to your entry documents. Their are approximatelt 480 Immigration agents to work fraud and some assigned overseas.

[Rmv0311 1]

Once again, thank everyone. I have everything I need to convince her and she agrees with u guys. We will just wait.

And catholic are not Christian, because Christians don't pray to any saints except for Jesus and Catholics pray to like 10+ saints; at least, that is how I see it

[Enigma11561 336]

In the U.S. a Christian ceremony ( Catholic or otherwise) IS A LEGAL CEREMONY. The minister ( priest or otherwise) has the power to pronounce you man and wife. YOu sign papers in the church. I cannot speak for other countries, but you need to be very careful here. Don't screw up something you waited so long for just because mama "needs" or "wants" to see her baby in a white dress. Or your fiancee just has to have a ceremony over there. You should have discussed this a long time ago.

[Sapphire Moon 25]

Church marriage is not a legal marriage, make sure you do not sign anything though.....

Are you sure your church will marry you if you are not legally married first?

As long as church marriage is a " blessing " you are more than fine, but if they have you both sign documents in front of witnesses, your church might have the power to legally marry you so check first. But as a general rule in the eyes of USCIS no signed documents= no marriage

Umm.. mine was

[Sapphire Moon 25]

Agree with Penguin!!!

[Mariana2012 89]

Umm.. mine was

And without written documents how did you prove you were married?

I would see it being accepted localy but I doubt USCIS would not ask for a legal document as proof of marriage.

Edited May 4, 2013 by Mariana2012

[Sapphire Moon 25]

And without written documents how did you prove you were married?

I would see it being accepted localy but I doubt USCIS would not ask for a legal document as proof of marriage.

Oh but we did have documents!

My point is that I can't imagine having a ceremony in a church where the minister/priest/pastor/bishop (what have you) would perform the ceremony and not make you sign the documents. Wouldn't that make it 'unethical' and would question any legalities with the ceremony?

Too me it would still be too risky to go that route and Not sign the documents.

[Mariana2012 89]

I agree, when faced with the condition of having to sign documents than it's clearly a wedding. Some churches will do blessings though, calms down the bride, and it's totaly harmless in the eyes of the immigration.

[Caryh 5,206]

Once again, thank everyone. I have everything I need to convince her and she agrees with u guys. We will just wait.

And catholic are not Christian, because Christians don't pray to any saints except for Jesus and Catholics pray to like 10+ saints; at least, that is how I see it

The catholic church is the church founded by Peter who Jesus gave the authority to found the church. Have they strayed from what Jesus taught would be a good question. But to judge and say they are not christian, I think that authority belongs only to god and not a break away religion. Although I think this would be better discussed in the Politics and Religion section. BTW I'm catholic and I do not pray to saints, unless you're one who considers Jesus a saint.

Glad your fiancee is reasonable and not risking her immigration status. Congrats on your approval and up coming wedding.

[Maxheadspace 48]

By as getting married by church after the approval, will that mess our process in any way? I mean, church all they give is a certificate of marriage and that is it, nothing is documented, I think lol.

So what do u guys think, is this a good move relating our K-1 process?

As many have already posted, you can't get married before entering the US on a K1 visa. But I understand her family's desire to have some form of ceremony before she goes, since I assume her family will not be able to attend the wedding. I would think the church would be willing to have some form of "blessing" before they leave, just so her family has a chance to recognize her new life. There is always a risk, though.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

Bro, you've been on here since 2012 and you're asking this. Come on now.

Brother Gowon, you don't know the half of it in regard to this guy. I'll say no more in public.