Getting married twice outside and inside the USA

[dappollo 0]

Can you get married outside of the USA and then again inside the USA once the K1 VISA has been issued without breaking any laws/regulations.

[raymaga 25]

With the K-1 Visa, your fiance must enter the US unmarried. Then, within 90 days of your fiance's entry into the US, you must marry in the US. After marriage, you apply for AOS (and EAD and AP if desired).

You cannot get married outside the US before entry into the US or else it would not be a "fiance" visa. If you marry outside the US, you will then need to apply for a spousal visa.

[ladykelia 0]

Is it even possible to get married twice to the same man at all? You *could* have a spiritual wedding in the foriegn country, but there can be nothing legally binding about it. The foreign fiance must be legally unmarried when coming into the USA on a K1 visa.

[Silke 1]

If you get married outside the US, you can no longer file for a K1...a K1 is strictly designed for fiances of US citizens not for spouses...if you do decide to get married outside the US, you should look into other options such as the K3 spousal visa.

The US recognizes marriages from other countries...if you go that route you could have a "symbolic ceremony" in the US for family members and friends that couldn't attend the wedding abroad.

[JoeMama 0]

Can you get married outside of the USA and then again inside the USA once the K1 VISA has been issued without breaking any laws/regulations.

There's a little trick to all of this! If you have any kind of wedding prior to your K-1 being issued, you better not make even the slightest hint of having done so! You could easily be denied K-1 approval. If you decide to do this prior to beneficiary's arrival into the US for a legitimate K-1 visa, keep it all HUSH! HUSH!

Edited April 7, 2007 by altimixdj

[Yodrak 7]

dappollo,

If you really mean married, no. If you mean have wedding ceremonies, it will depend on which if either creates a marriage.

Yodrak

Can you get married outside of the USA and then again inside the USA once the K1 VISA has been issued without breaking any laws/regulations.

[TimsDaisy 0]

Don't sign anything. And don't wear a t-shirt when you arrive that says "I love my American wife/husband."

Figure out whatever makes turns a wedding ceremony into a legal marriage and then don't do that. In England, I think you could start by having a wedding party somewhere that isn't approved for marriages. Think of how many more choices you'll have than people who want a legally binding English marriage.

As is discussed frequently here on VJ - many of us face bifurcated weddings/marriages - meaning we might have to nip down to city hall within 90 days to comply with the law, but our traditional wedding might be fully planned for a year later. Or some celebrate home cultural traditions before departing, but refrain from legally marrying until they get here. We're not your average bears, that's for sure.

[JoanBill 0]

dappollo,

If you really mean married, no. If you mean have wedding ceremonies, it will depend on which if either creates a marriage.

Yodrak

Can you get married outside of the USA and then again inside the USA once the K1 VISA has been issued without breaking any laws/regulations.

TimDaisy - I have nothing to add to this. I just wanted to say I always appreciate your replies on VJ.

Mahalo,

BillJoan