Can I get married abroad (ceremony only) and then still come on K1 visa?

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Actually, my fiancee already passed her K1 interview and has the K1 visa in HAND. We would just be having a wedding banquent/ceremony (no documents signed). The laws of her country, China, state that to be considered married, a couple must actually be issued a marriage certificate.

"Article 8 Both the man and the woman desiring to contract a marriage shall register in person with the marriage registration office. If the proposed marriage is found to conform with the provisions of this Law, the couple shall be allowed to register and issued marriage certificates. The husband and wife relationship shall be established as soon as they acquire the marriage certificates. In the absence of the marriage registration, the man and the woman shall go through the procedures subsequently. "

Also the "ceremony/banquet" would not be administered by a priest or any other form of religious clergy but just by an hired MC from the wedding company that I would pay to plan the party. We would also not have any photos placed online and will not be taking any photos with us on the plane. I know everyone thinks it is better just to wait, but her family refuses to let her come without having the ceremony there for "face". Any thoughts under this circumstance?

Do what you want then. Why ask here?

Edited February 7, 2014 by Avery Cates

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

They kind of check at K1 AOS, they half ### check at ROC. They tear the world apart when you apply for citizenship. So if you are sure that between now and when you apply for USC that you and none of your family or friends will mention your "wedding" then you might be safe. Do not count on making sure it is all delete before you go for USC they have the history of the internet at their fingertips.

[enlijoe 20]

I feel for you with you as her family may not let her leave China if you do not do this. And with how much the Chinese respect there parents she will not leave if they do not want her to. You might be better off just getting married there and then doing a CR1. But from what I have seen getting married in China is not going to be an easy thing either.

I would talk with her parents to see if they would be ok with you doing a weeding in China after she gets her Green Card as any other way is going to drag this out not less then another year.

I wish you the best of luck.

[christeen 966]

Just a question... Was this situation NOT discussed prior to applying for the k1? It always strikes me how "suddenly" the family needs a formal wedding after The paperwork is filed... I think in countries where family approvals and traditions are crucial, decisions should involve the family so,they are aware of the laws rules and th implications of choosing to go against them...

[Gwapo1ako 14]

Obviously the OP WANTS to take the risk so

C'est la vie

[Gosia & Tito 199]

. We would just be having a wedding banquent/ceremony (no documents signed).

If it comes up as a question or Embassy finds about this, How would you prove that you are not married?

There are no "Not married" records.

Others have posted comments of not enough married for a CR-1 and too much married for a K-1

We would also not have any photos placed online and will not be taking any photos with us on the plane.

You can't control what others can or will do.

.her family refuses to let her come without having the ceremony there for "face".

Perhaps other members with experience in the same country/culture can chime in?

Your job is to make them (parents)undertand that while their reasons are ok, they are taking a huge risk that could result in a problem for you, for example, you could explain that if that is found by the Embassy and they presume you are married, it could be a long time before you actually get a visa; you might end up having to actualy get marry and refile for a CR-1, How would 'face' be if it could be 1-2 years that their daugher is still in China and not living with you (the husband).

Alernatively, if 'face' is important, and I'm not saying is not; perhaps you need to consider a CR-1 then; that is, marriy, and file a CR-1, within a year, your spouse will be stateside.

Edited February 8, 2014 by Gosia & Tito