Holding Religious Ceremony (not registered) in the US before K1 Approval

[DeepakChani 738]

Hello Visa Journey Community! 

 

I filed a k1 petition for my finacee living in Canada and I have a NOA1 date of 12/1/17. In our petition, we front loaded information (hall rental, caterer,etc.) of our religious ceremony scheduled for 8/25/18. The religious ceremony at the temple is not official in the sense that it is not registered with the state.

 

My question is: Considering worst case, if my finacee is not able to get her K1 approved by 8/25/18, can she still come as a visitor and do the religious ceremony and then go back right after the religious ceremony and finish the K1 processing (medical exam and interview) in Canada? 

 

 

 

 

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

  There is the risk of them knowing about the event and deciding you are too married for a K1.  

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Anything is possible; but like above, any ceremony (regardless of legal in the actual sense), if the embassy knows about it they could feel you are "too married" for a K-1; but  not "married enough" for a CR-1.

 

As to your question about the timeline, it's possible; but always is recommended avoiding any potentially conflicting "ceremonies" during the process. I'd just wait till afterward.

[John & Rose 7,239]

There have been denials because of pictures presented as proof of relationship have appeared to the CO as a wedding.  Remember, perception is reality when it comes to a single CO who has to make a decision.  If he thinks you are married, the K-1 will be denied.

 

Moral of the story, don't use pictures of your ceremony as proof or relationship!  

[geowrian 22,337]

You're allowed to do this. But at the same time, if a CO finds out about it, they may think you actually got married and therefore cannot issue the visa. This is their decision to make (just stating or trying to show that it was not registered won't matter to them). Personally, I wouldn't risk anything that could jeopardize the process (even from Canada).

[DeepakChani 738]

Thank you all for your responses. Noticing how the California Service Center is taking longer to approve the K1 is what is driving my fear of the delay. Anyone know if the timeline on VJ includes those who received RFEs and thus had to extend approval time?

 

I do agree that showing any evidence of the ceremony will lead to suspicion of a marriage. In the K1 packet, I wrote down that we will be doing the religious ceremony on August 25 and then after doing the official registered marriage. 

[RO_AH 1,659]

31 minutes ago, deepakchani said:

I do agree that showing any evidence of the ceremony will lead to suspicion of a marriage. In the K1 packet, I wrote down that we will be doing the religious ceremony on August 25 and then after doing the official registered marriage. 

They won't care. Don't take the chance.

[EandH0904 1,184]

So if the appointment is after 8/25 and you've written everywhere you're doing a religious ceremony and they ask did you do it you could easily get denied K1. If you lie they can track entrance to the US. 

 

I think you should postpone the ceremony, it just isn't worth the risk. Keep proof if you do. 

[geowrian 22,337]

Actually, I may retract part of my earlier post. After a little research, it looks like this actually may not even be allowed to continue a K-1 afterwards as it would be a legal marriage (just not registered):

 

From a very wise member regarding Canada:

" You definitely need to make sure that getting married in a Church by a Priest is not going be a legal wedding. I say this because some countries like Canada for example. If you have any form of ceremony by someone who is legally allowed to perform a wedding it is a legal marriage regardless if they got a marriage license. "

 

Edited January 9, 2018 by geowrian