Proof of being free to marry

[slowlyman 118]

Yes, I have too much time on my hands waiting for the interview. I find myself going over all the packet 3 forms, worrying I missed something.

Today I was thinking. My girlfriend provided a notarized document indicating she was never married. But I didn't provide anything. I don;t have anything available to provide. Did I miss something? How do they know I am free to marry?

[indiana_sweetie 120]

I searched for info on this and found there is no official form for this here in the US. Our lawyer said she would do one for $150. The sticker shock sent me searching further and evidence seemed to suggest a letter written by myself and notarized was sufficient. I brought the death certificate of my former husband to the notary and she accepted it as proof and notarized my letter. It was accepted.

[Boiler 45,730]

????

All a notary does is check your signature against your ID.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Yes, I have too much time on my hands waiting for the interview. I find myself going over all the packet 3 forms, worrying I missed something.

Today I was thinking. My girlfriend provided a notarized document indicating she was never married. But I didn't provide anything. I don;t have anything available to provide. Did I miss something? How do they know I am free to marry?

The USC petitioner does not need anything to prove they are single, besides a copy of their divorce decree if they were previously married. The one consulate I know for sure requires this of the beneficiary is Manila. They have a special document they get to show they are single and is not required with the I-129F. It is needed at the consulate, K-1 visa interview stage.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

????

All a notary does is check your signature against your ID.

True, but that's all the embassy needed because I emailed them.

My email:

Hello,

I wish to marry in Pristina this fall. I am a U.S. Citizen, widowed. My

husband's death certificate lists my name and address. Is this a proper

proof of residence?

I have these documents:

U.S. driver license

Birth certificate

Death certificate of spouse

U.S. passport (applying for)

Please advise what I need to show my certification of marital status

proving that I am free to marry.

Their answer:

Dear xxxx,

The notarized free to marry statement can also include your residency

address.

Regards,

Consular Section

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

????

All a notary does is check your signature against your ID.

Agreed. This was unnecessary. The notary only signed that it was indeed you signing your letter. A copy of the death certificate is all you needed.

True, but that's all the embassy needed because I emailed them.

My email:

Hello,

I wish to marry in Pristina this fall. I am a U.S. Citizen, widowed. My

husband's death certificate lists my name and address. Is this a proper

proof of residence?

I have these documents:

U.S. driver license

Birth certificate

Death certificate of spouse

U.S. passport (applying for)

Please advise what I need to show my certification of marital status

proving that I am free to marry.

Their answer:

Dear xxxx,

The notarized free to marry statement can also include your residency

address.

Regards,

Consular Section

What an odd thing for them to ask for.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

What an odd thing for them to ask for.

It's in the list of required documents for getting married in Kosovo. What I thought was even more odd is the birth certificates there. A Kosovo birth certificate also lists the person't marriage status. After hubby and I married he needed to make new birth certificates because his original became invalid as it listed him as single. The upside is everything is already in English so nothing needed to be translated.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

It's in the list of required documents for getting married in Kosovo. What I thought was even more odd is the birth certificates there. A Kosovo birth certificate also lists the person't marriage status. After hubby and I married he needed to make new birth certificates because his original became invalid as it listed him as single. The upside is everything is already in English so nothing needed to be translated.

Wow, what a strange thing to have added on a birth certificate. I am glad we do not have to change our birth certificates here in the US like that.

[Andy and Pui 16]

It is a country specific thing for Thailand and few other countries like Jay-Kay said. The USC does not need the proof of being free to marry. If you have been married in the past just make sure you have already submitted all divorces or deaths related to those marriages. It is the beneficiary who needs it and they only need it if they had children out of wedlock or if you are bringing over a stepchild which I think others can explain what to do better then I. If you need to get that document you will need to go to the Amphur where your fiance is from and go there with a family member preferably her Mother. If you need the document and not sure on how to say it in thai or explain it let us know and I can have Pui type something up in thai. Somebody correct me if I am wrong on any of this.

I remember when we went through this 2 years ago listed on a google search was the old version of packet 3 when you did a search "packet 3 bangkok" and we went by that one. Just looked at the old version and it said "Verification of unmarried status: required if you have not registered a pervious marriage." So we got one for Pui and she went with her Mom and Village Leader to the Amphur to get it and of course they had to give the village leader 300 baht to go do that but it is a 45 minutse to an hour car drive to the Amphur and another 45 minutes to an hour drive back.

[shaoshao 1]

What if am never married, being a us citizen what do I need to prove that

[slowlyman 118]

Yes we went to the Amphur with Mom and a village elder, got the birth certificate for my girlfriend & her daughter as well as the free to marry certificate. 200 for each cert. 600 total (plus 200 for mom.) #######

So anyway sounds like I'm worrying for nothing. I've never been married, so nothing to prove.

[Inky 1,111]

What if am never married, being a us citizen what do I need to prove that

Nothing.

[stevie b 141]

Yes, I have too much time on my hands waiting for the interview. I find myself going over all the packet 3 forms, worrying I missed something.

Today I was thinking. My girlfriend provided a notarized document indicating she was never married. But I didn't provide anything. I don;t have anything available to provide. Did I miss something? How do they know I am free to marry?

it is definitely country specific. my wife had to get hers from the recorder's office where we got the marriage license in her country

[Karee 4,190]

Not related to the OPs situation, but I figured I'd add that if someone wants to get legally married in Thailand, you do need to go to the U.S. embassy and raise your right hand and swear that you are free to marry. They give you an official letter that you then need to get translated into Thai.

Like I said, not related to K-1s, but good to know.

[Shenzhen 34]

For China I had to take write a form letter and have it notarized. Have the notary checked by the county and stamped. A copy of my divorce decree, county then notorized that. I had to go to the state to get the state seal and they checked to see if you are married. After all that then you send everything to the Chinese Embassy and pay a fee they send you a letter back with a fancy hologram on the back then you have your marriage certificate. You take that with you to China to get married.