Registration of Wedding

[HWAJ2019 0]

Hi all- have searched high and low for this one, but haven't gotten a definitive answer - anyone have any experience with this issue below in the Philippines?

 

My Fiance is a Filipina, and we are almost complete with the K-1 process.  NOA-2 has been issued and we are awaiting the NVC process and the CO interview at the Manila Embassy.

 

She is completing a course of study in Manila, and will be complete with her coursework in December 2019, even though we anticipate the Visa to be issued in July 2019.  The plan is for us to 'officially' marry in the US in December.

 

In the interim, we have been planning to have a ceremony at a Catholic Church in order to have a ceremony that we can celebrate with her family and friends and honor her mother (Which is something that is important to me).  However, now that we are through this process, we have learned a few things and one that we are considering is asking the church for us to register the wedding ourselves.  Then basically put off the registration until after she has come to the USA where she will stay with me, and we will get married officially in December, and ultimately 'not' register the Philippines wedding, only the US Wedding for the Visa purposes, and we will then begin our lives together in the USA.

 

Is there any issue with this?  Having a Catholic Wedding Ceremony, but not registering your wedding until after you have come to the USA and completed a US Marriage?

 

Is this possible?

 

Has anyone else run into this before?

 

We've learned about a 'blessing' ceremony, but according to the church, that is not the same as a 'wedding' and doesn't have all of the pieces of a traditional filipino wedding which is what my fiance and her mother really want (as well as me for her!).  The church has informed us that we can 'register on our own' with the Philippine Government which seems to me that we can take that route and just be on our merry way once she comes to the USA.

 

The primary reason for this is to simply have a wedding ceremony and celebration in the Philippines for her family and friends as they will be unable to attend a ceremony in the USA.  That is it.  I kind of feel bad not being up-front with the church about this, and definitely don't want to impede on our immigration process, even though the Philippine ceremony will happen well after our K-1 Visa is issued, but technically before she travels to the USA to live here permanently.

 

We just want to do the right thing and make her family happy with a celebration and yet follow the requirements of the K-1 visa (as well as the Catholic church)

 

Anyone have any feedback or advice on this one?  Really appreciate it in advance as we really want to do the right thing.

 

Appreciate it so much in advance for your short or long reply!

 

Best-

H

[Crazy Cat 42,391]

My advice is to return to PI for a traditional wedding AFTER legal marriage in the US.  Per the K-1, your legal marriage must take place inside the US.

Edited June 1, 2019 by missileman

[Unlockable 7,315]

We see this a lot. And there are plenty of people who get denied their K1 for doing ceremonies in their fiancé’s country prior to getting married in the US. You can search “denied because of ceremony” on here and you will see why it is a bad idea.

 

As already advised, come get married in the US first then return afterwards to do a ceremony.

 

If having a ceremony in your fiancé’s country is a huge deal, then I’m sorry to say but this is poor planning. You should have chosen the spousal visa route.  Otherwise, her family would have to wait.

 

It is your choice, but I really don’t want to see you denied because of this. Best to play it safe.

[givionte 138]

Please, please don't have any kind of ceremony until legally married in the USA.  As Unlockable said, you are risking your immigration approval by planning some type of religious ceremony. As strange as it may seem to you,  in the US immigration's view,this is big no-no, even though it seems harmless.

[Going through 5,671]

1 hour ago, HWAJ2019 said:

In the interim, we have been planning to have a ceremony at a Catholic Church in order to have a ceremony that we can celebrate with her family and friends and honor her mother (Which is something that is important to me).  However, now that we are through this process, we have learned a few things and one that we are considering is asking the church for us to register the wedding ourselves.  Then basically put off the registration until after she has come to the USA where she will stay with me, and we will get married officially in December, and ultimately 'not' register the Philippines wedding, only the US Wedding for the Visa purposes, and we will then begin our lives together in the USA.

 

Is there any issue with this?  Having a Catholic Wedding Ceremony, but not registering your wedding until after you have come to the USA and completed a US Marriage?

With the Catholic Church----you will be legally married after the ceremony (regardless of when it's registered)...which would then make the K1 visa invalid, since the condition of the K1 is to legally marry within the US. 

 

Honestly, you're playing with fire by doing this before she reaches the States.  K1 fiancees have been denied entry at POE before when the officer suspects they are already married (one member ended up having their luggage searched due to that suspicion and they uncovered an entire wedding photo album).  Other members have been denied entry when their phones are looked through, how they answered questions, etc.

 

Much safer if you do it the other way around---marry in the US first, and then do a second ceremony in the home country for family and friends.

 

 

[Boiler 46,173]

Why did you not marry and file a CR1?

[Falcon Cara 378]

44 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Why did you not marry and file a CR1?

Excellent Question

[Falcon Cara 378]

2 hours ago, HWAJ2019 said:

 

We've learned about a 'blessing' ceremony, but according to the church, that is not the same as a 'wedding' and doesn't have all of the pieces of a traditional filipino wedding which is what my fiance and her mother really want (as well as me for her!).  The church has informed us that we can 'register on our own' with the Philippine Government which seems to me that we can take that route and just be on our merry way once she comes to the USA.

 

 

1. ) I wouldn't care what her family or she wants, You are the petitioner, you need to call the shots

 

2..) After you get married in the USA you can go back to Philippines and have a party to celebrate your marriage.  Slaughter a couple cows, and have lechon and rice.

 

3.) You playing with fire trying to do a ceremony that is wedding style on a K1 in beneficiary home country.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Kinda like being married is kinda like being pregnant.  

 

Don't get married until you are in the US, it is a prime condition of the K1 Visa process.

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

My wife and I had a celebration of engagement, looked nothing like a wedding, no formal clothes no minister. What it did allow was her parents to act as host to a family bonding event and eat tons of food. They got what they wanted, I met the family,. Wife and parents got their day and didn't offend anyone in the us government in the process.

 

Do not delay the process by thinking your situation is different, all risk minimal reward