Unregistered customary marriage

[MissyA 0]

Hi all,

Please i need urgent assistance.

I did a traditional engagement with my ex boyfriend in 2014 and which we lasted fot 2 months then we cancel our upcoming civil marriage becos of infidelity on his part. I applied for non immigrant visa and stated i was married n his details within the time it got cancel and got my visa. Now am certifed married to us citizen for 3 yrs and he has filed for me and my son and we have an upcoming immigrant interview. My ques. Is if am being ask if i was married before what do i say. Your help will be much appreciated as am confuse

[Khallaf 650]

1 minute ago, Akuaopoku said:

Hi all,

Please i need urgent assistance.

I did a traditional engagement with my ex boyfriend in 2014 and which we lasted fot 2 months then we cancel our upcoming civil marriage becos of infidelity on his part. I applied for non immigrant visa and stated i was married n his details within the time it got cancel and got my visa. Now am certifed married to us citizen for 3 yrs and he has filed for me and my son and we have an upcoming immigrant interview. My ques. Is if am being ask if i was married before what do i say. Your help will be much appreciated as am confuse

you were engaged but never took part in a religious or court marriage right?

[Boiler 45,522]

They will want to see the Divorce Certificate.

[Roel 7,192]

If you put "married " in your previous visa application then obviously now you'll have to come up with the divorce paperwork. I remember a thread like this from a  while ago. Lady claimed married in paperwork even though she wasn't and later she had to keep proving that she wasn't and she isn't married. Just prepare yourself for problems. 

 

Huge mistake to lie about your martial status on official paperwork. 

[Khallaf 650]

1 minute ago, Roel said:

If you put "married " in your previous visa application then obviously now you'll have to come up with the divorce paperwork. I remember a thread like this from a  while ago. Lady claimed married in paperwork even though she wasn't and later she had to keep proving that she wasn't and she isn't married. Just prepare yourself for problems. 

 

Huge mistake to lie about your martial status on official paperwork. 

I agree, I am wondering if there was a religious ceremony and this is why OP put married on visa, even a religious ceremony needs to have paperwork to show that it was officially canceled and the couple now divorced right? 

[Roel 7,192]

Just now, Khallaf said:

I agree, I am wondering if there was a religious ceremony and this is why OP put married on visa, even a religious ceremony needs to have paperwork to show that it was officially canceled and the couple now divorced right? 

OP said it was just engagement ceremony..  Not sure how she could interpret that as being married. I understand she put married as her status because on the day of filling  she was sure she will marry that guy in the future but later things didn't work out.

 

Its like writing that you are 21 years old on some document even though your 21st birthday isn't happening for another few months. 

[Khallaf 650]

1 minute ago, Roel said:

OP said it was just engagement ceremony..  Not sure how she could interpret that as being married. I understand she put married as her status because on the day of filling  she was sure she will marry that guy in the future but later things didn't work out.

 

Its like writing that you are 21 years old on some document even though your 21st birthday isn't happening for another few months. 

I guess the reason I am confused all over as the title reads Unregistered customary marriage or she applied for non immigrant visa after the fact? 

 

 

Edited February 13, 2018 by Khallaf

[Boiler 45,522]

Perhaps an Unregistered Customary Divorce is needed?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

   If you had a traditional marriage and then claimed it as proof of ties in trying for a non immigrant visa you will need to show that the marriage is over.   Has he rermarried ?   It is a stretch but showing he has a wife now may be enough to show you aren't married ( unless you are in a place that allows multiple wives ) 

[Boiler 45,522]

Or the marriage was bigamous.

[MissyA 0]

Ok thank you everyone here

So now how do i get a divorce paper when the marriage never got to the court. In ghana here customery marriage are dissolve amongst the families member. If i say that would they understand. Pls your advice

 

[MissyA 0]

My point is if am being ask if i was married i will said yes and explain it was customary marriage. And beside my husband never indicated in I- 130 petition that i have had a divorce because there is no paper. So wont they accepted that

 

[MissyA 0]

Ok thank you everyone here. So now what can i do. I was going to tell them yes i was married. In ghana here most customary marriage dont get registered but it consider marriage. My parent are married but has never register. And beside most customary marriage get dissolve at home btn families members

 

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

  In Nigeria the termination usually includes returning the bride price.  Can you show that  ( if the same is true there ) 

[geowrian 22,337]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

Or the marriage was bigamous.

In which case the second (or more) spouse is ineligible for immigration benefits from said marriage.

 

It sounds like the OP was trying to play things both ways and now it's catching up - claiming to be married when trying for a non-immigrant visa, but was not married at the same period of time for the immigrant visa. Either they made a misrepresentation in the previous visa application, or proof of the marriage being dissolved (i.e. a divorce decree) will likely be requested.

Edited February 13, 2018 by geowrian