Marriage Certificate has a mistake

[pangzi53 0]

I'll try to keep this short because I don't want to betray too many details. I'm in the process of filing an I-130 for my Chinese wife. We were actually married in Hong Kong and not on the mainland. We took a lengthy bus trip to HK to register the marriage and when we were about 70% there I suddenly realized I'd forgotten to bring my divorce papers with me. We were panic-stricken and not sure what to do. We made a, in hindsight, rash decision to say I'd never been married before. What we were not aware of is that a Hong Kong marriage certificate is a rather simple document. However, there is a line that says "Marital condition before marriage" and for me it says "bachelor" which means I've never been married before. Neither of us had any idea that a HK marriage certificate had this feature and figured saying I was never married wouldn't matter because the certificate itself would be the same regardless and the marriage was "legal" in that even though I may have stated I was never married I WAS, after all, legally divorced and my wife was completely aware of this previous marriage and there was therefore no intent to deceive her. I have no intention of lying on my wife's application but I'm not quite sure how to handle this. If/when I am asked, "Why does your marriage certificate say you were never married before?" should I just come clean with the truth? Is there any possibility that this won't be noticed? Please don't lecture or judge me. I'm literally worried sick over this and just need practical advice as to how to deal this problem.

[signorellix 0]

hi there,

when the interview comes just bring your divorce decree it's about same with my friend she is from the philippines, she call the embassy and said i forget to write there about her previous marriage the lady on the phone said just bring your divorce decree in your interview..

[HollyGolightly 72]

If it comes up on the interview it is best that you tell the truth and just explain the situation. After all, your misrepresentation at the marriage ceremony was an issue of "convenience" (because it was inconvenient for you to go home and get your divorce decree) and not due to bad faith or ill motive. I am sure they'll understand. Lying about it would be a terrible idea which could carry serious consequences.

[Darnell 8,479]

this stuff will come out in the I-130 and the G-325A

--

so, if you still feel a bit overwhelmed by the difference,

write up a letter of attestation, going over the main bits just like you did here at post #1.

[pangzi53 0]

I know that telling the truth is simply what I'll have to do if this indeed becomes an issue. What I'm torn about is whether I should do it upfront, before I'm asked, or wait and see if it even becomes an issue before I say something.

[Darnell 8,479]

I say do it upfront.

Why? If the I-130 is approved, then any red flags divulged WITH THE I-130 FILING cannot be used against her on interview day (at least, that's the theory, based on reading about folk front-loading an I-130 petition and chasing a visa in Guangzhou) ..

[pangzi53 0]

Hey Darnell. Your advice has been duly noted, believe me.

[Darnell 8,479]

OK - how's it coming along, this practice, writing up a letter of attestation?

Reminder, as part of the I-130 submittal, you (the uscitizen) must supply photocopies of all original or certified copies of divorce decrees.

Since that wasn't covered in the marriage cert you have now - I think you'll be OK, if you actually submit a letter of attestation about this faux paux on the handling of the marriage cert in HKG.