Marraige ceremoney without legal part

[ConorBradley89 5]

Hi All,

So myself and my Fiance booked our venue for our wedding into for September since we are on the K1 visa route and from what we have seen timeline wise there is a significant danger that we could overrun the date we have. My family have already all booked their flights for ceremony and would cost them thousands and mess up their time off from jobs.

I know we shouldn't have booked stuff until everything was sorted so really we are just looking at contingency plans in the event that it looks like we will overrun. What we want to do is have a friend officiate the ceremony and do it as a commitment ceremony, so have it like a celebration of vows instead. Since we would not be signing any papers or be officiated by anyone there is no legal marriage and my understanding is that I could then return home to await final processing of K1 and then return and have a legal process done by a court or justice of the peace.

Anyone know if that is okay to do? I would have thought it would be fine seems as thought we are not signing any legal paperwork and just having the ceremony.

[nufcfc 1]

I'm here on a k-1 and got married legally just yesterday so we can start the paperwork. our wedding is booked for the end of April. obviously we wont need to sign anything though on that day. its fine

[Zedayn 485]

If you have any type of wedding ceremony, whether legally binding or not, you risk a denial of the K-1 visa. If the CO suspects you are married, you would be denied.

[nufcfc 1]

sorry I read it wrong. ignore me

[ConorBradley89 5]

So even if we are not being officiated or signing anything and are just saying some personal messages to each other in front of a bunch of invited people, that would still constitute as a marragie and be grounds for denial?

[Dave&Roza 748]

So even if we are not being officiated or signing anything and are just saying some personal messages to each other in front of a bunch of invited people, that would still constitute as a marragie and be grounds for denial?

It has been known to happen, but that was in a country where such a celebration is customary. Unfortunately during this process the burden of proof is always on you to prove any allegations the USCIS might make. So if they see your gathering and state you are married, how are you going to prove you are not married? Given your timeline, I think you will be okay as the USCIS has sped things up recently.

Good luck,

Dave

[sara..... 371]

Its a risk...... many people get denied k-1 that have a formal engagement........at least the Muslim formal engagement because it resembles the marriage ceremony and gives reason for the embassy to think that its marriage.........

sara

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi All,

So myself and my Fiance booked our venue for our wedding into for September since we are on the K1 visa route and from what we have seen timeline wise there is a significant danger that we could overrun the date we have. My family have already all booked their flights for ceremony and would cost them thousands and mess up their time off from jobs.

I know we shouldn't have booked stuff until everything was sorted so really we are just looking at contingency plans in the event that it looks like we will overrun. What we want to do is have a friend officiate the ceremony and do it as a commitment ceremony, so have it like a celebration of vows instead. Since we would not be signing any papers or be officiated by anyone there is no legal marriage and my understanding is that I could then return home to await final processing of K1 and then return and have a legal process done by a court or justice of the peace.

Anyone know if that is okay to do? I would have thought it would be fine seems as thought we are not signing any legal paperwork and just having the ceremony.

If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it's a duck.

If it looks like a wedding, then it's a wedding.

Impossible for you to prove you did not marry. You could simply not provide proof.

You mad a big mistake making plans without a visa in hand.

Don't go and make a bigger one.

Google "denied K-1 visa non-legal wedding."

Edited February 26, 2014 by aaron2020

[Zedayn 485]

So even if we are not being officiated or signing anything and are just saying some personal messages to each other in front of a bunch of invited people, that would still constitute as a marragie and be grounds for denial?

YES. If it looks like a marriage, to a CO it IS a marriage. Can you prove that you are not married?

[nina.mb 8]

Hi all,

We have a slightly different, but related, situation. My fiancé's family was hoping that we could have a small, traditional celebration (nothing signed, unofficial) BEFORE leaving for the States, but AFTER receiving the visa. Still risking problems at POE or at that point in the process does it become a moot point?

My immediate inclination would be against it, but I know it would mean a great deal to his family, who will not be able to travel to the US for the official wedding due to - what else? - visa constraints.

Thoughts??

[ConorBradley89 5]

Hmm Guess in this case We may just hold out and hope for the best, I dont want to jeopardize the process since its been relatively smooth and quick so far.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi all,

We have a slightly different, but related, situation. My fiancé's family was hoping that we could have a small, traditional celebration (nothing signed, unofficial) BEFORE leaving for the States, but AFTER receiving the visa. Still risking problems at POE or at that point in the process does it become a moot point?

My immediate inclination would be against it, but I know it would mean a great deal to his family, who will not be able to travel to the US for the official wedding due to - what else? - visa constraints.

Thoughts??

Yes, it's still a risk. Your spouse still has to adjust in the US. The adjustment can be denied for fraud if there is information such as from social media that you married before he entered the US.

Have a going away party. No ceremony of any sort. No wedding dress at this party. No traditional marriage rites. No one posting pictures from your "traditional" whatever related to marriage.

Edited February 26, 2014 by aaron2020

[christeen 966]

It is generally a bad idea... But if you decide to go forward... You need to edit the whole event to look less like a wedding and more like a going away party (aka... Nix the wedding dress, bridesmaids, wedding cake) )