Civil Marriage Question

[Catou1181 0]

Hey guys

I guess Im kind of the new gal on the forums I think I've written this in every thread I've written in, but this website and these forums are a God send. To know so many people go through this, it makes it feel easier

Ive got a question about civil marriage. My fiance and I are strongly considering getting married in a courthouse on my next trip in less than 2 weeks so we can start the whole I-130 business. We'd eventually have a religous wedding here, somewhere this fall where we'd say our vows and celebrate with family (and then go on the honeymoon! ). Im just wondering, do I need to bring any papers with me if I do get married in 2 weeks ? I mean other than my birth certificate and passport(hoping I get it before then) ? And since Im from Quebec, do I need a translated copy of my birth certificate (for the civil marriage and/or the I-130 petition).

There's so much information everywhere and I want to make sure I do it right. It's nice to get advice from people who've been down that road.

Thanks again, and hopefully, Ill be helping other people with advice and stories of my own soon, as well as will my fiance, who's registered under Catou'sguy on the forums

Cat

[misa 2]

Depends on the state you're going to be married in. Ask your fiance to check the state requirements. You'll need to obtain a license first. Some states are very strict about IDs (some requiring you to have an SSN) whereas some are really lax.

I was married in Virginia and brought my passport and birth certificate... they didn't even ask for ID when I got my license and when we got married!

As for the I-130, the beneficiary (you) usually don't need to submit a birth certificate, but the petitioner does. Some people submit both. We didn't and we were fine. In hindsight, I probably would have submitted my birth certificate "just in case".

Edited March 7, 2007 by misa

[Flames9_RN 358]

Yep as everything else in the States, what u require varies from State to State!!

[Catou1181 0]

But basically, if I get married in Colorado, it'll be legal when I get back home ? Or do I need to contact the government and let them know Im married. Or bring any kind of papers from Canada ?

[misa 2]

It'll be legal wherever you go. You don't need to contact anyone in Canada to let them know you're married unless you're changing your name. You will need to check "married" when you file Canadian taxes though.

As for documentation from Canada when you get married, you need to get your fiance to check the requirements in Colorado for issuing marriage licenses, how long that takes, how long it's valid for.

Also another thing your fiance will want to see is how long it takes for them to issue the marriage certificate. You'll a copy of that when you file with USCIS and you will need the original at your interview.

Edited March 7, 2007 by misa

[Catou1181 0]

I read the I-130 FAQ and there's one or two questions that revolve around Tourist Visa with or without intent to marry.

Everytime I've visited the States, which was never for more than 4-5 days, I never had a tourist visa or anything of the kind. Now I am going there next week with the intent to marry, but again, I have no tourist visa or anything. Would our marriage be considered immigration fraud ?

I don't want to jeopardize my immigration process :/

[Flames9_RN 358]

As a Canadian, we dont need to get an actual piece of paer (visa) to visit as some peopel do from other countries. The POE officer at ur time of entry authorizes the visit.

One example Visa fraud would be comin gto the USA with the intent of marrying and then staying inthe USA. Nothign wrong with coming to the USA,marrying, then going back to Canada, thats what I did, and what many do.

As a Canadian, we dont need to get an actual piece of paer (visa) to visit as some peopel do from other countries. The POE officer at ur time of entry authorizes the visit.

One example Visa fraud would be comin gto the USA with the intent of marrying and then staying inthe USA. Nothign wrong with coming to the USA,marrying, then going back to Canada, thats what I did, and what many do.

[Catou1181 0]

Thanks

I got paranoid lol

[Catou'sguy 0]

Thanks

I got paranoid lol

shes really cute when she gets paranoid.

I spoke with the county clerk and recorder's office and they basically told me that Marriage in Colorado is incredibly easy. We go in, and as long as we have proper identification, we get hitched within 45 minutes.

Now for further inquiry:

- Do we need to worry at all about visiting for the next 8-12 months while she is in Canada? Im worried about her being banned from visiting while we wait for the K-3 to come through. I have heard stories of this. Although not of this ever happening to a Canadian

- Next question is, once she gets the K-3 and she can move here, is she allowed to work right away. I mean after she has her SS card and what not? or is there a waiting period? Or perhaps something that we need to start now other than the 129F and I-130?

thanks for the help guys.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Thanks

I got paranoid lol

shes really cute when she gets paranoid.

I spoke with the county clerk and recorder's office and they basically told me that Marriage in Colorado is incredibly easy. We go in, and as long as we have proper identification, we get hitched within 45 minutes.

Now for further inquiry:

- Do we need to worry at all about visiting for the next 8-12 months while she is in Canada? Im worried about her being banned from visiting while we wait for the K-3 to come through. I have heard stories of this. Although not of this ever happening to a Canadian

- Next question is, once she gets the K-3 and she can move here, is she allowed to work right away. I mean after she has her SS card and what not? or is there a waiting period? Or perhaps something that we need to start now other than the 129F and I-130?

thanks for the help guys.

1) been covered here oodles of times!! Some people do get denied entry while the visa process is ongoing, many do not. I never had any problems, just ensure one has proof of ties to canada with them. Pretty much comes down to the POE officer. Soem are more picky than others, anf if he thinsk ur going to stay in the USA,he can/will deny. being polite, courtesy goes a long way!!

2) no clue on working right away as I was a cr-1. But I belive you need an EAD, which is pretty much impossible to get when activating the visa. Others wil respond to that.

[misa 2]

- Do we need to worry at all about visiting for the next 8-12 months while she is in Canada? Im worried about her being banned from visiting while we wait for the K-3 to come through. I have heard stories of this. Although not of this ever happening to a Canadian

I go to the U.S. to visit every 3 weeks and so far no problem. See this thread (your fiance has already read it. ):

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=58108

As for working, she cannot get an EAD stamp upon activating her K3 at a POE. Only K1s can get that and only at certain POEs. After she enters on her K3 she will need to apply for EAD and AOS. She can't work or get an SSN (as far as I know, someone correct me if I'm wrong about the SSN) until she gets her EAD.

Edited March 11, 2007 by misa