Steps after marriage

[yellowbee12 0]

How long after marriage do we need to apply for adjustment of status? Also, what are the steps to getting a marriage certificate? 

 

We tried to look these questions but keep getting different results. 

 

Thank you! 

[SalishSea 17,829]

Just now, yellowbee12 said:

How long after marriage do we need to apply for adjustment of status? Also, what are the steps to getting a marriage certificate? 

 

We tried to look these questions but keep getting different results. 

 

Thank you! 

It is recommended to apply ASAP.  We sent our paperwork about nine days after our wedding.  As far as the marriage cert, you will need to check locally on how that is done.  We went to our county courthouse, where the records are kept, and purchased several certified copies.  It was about 5-7 days after our marriage before the paperwork was received and recorded at the courthouse.

[yellowbee12 0]

3 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

It is recommended to apply ASAP.  We sent our paperwork about nine days after our wedding.  As far as the marriage cert, you will need to check locally on how that is done.  We went to our county courthouse, where the records are kept, and purchased several certified copies.  It was about 5-7 days after our marriage before the paperwork was received and recorded at the courthouse.

Thanks! Is there a certain time limit that we have after getting married to apply for the adjustment of status?

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

9 minutes ago, yellowbee12 said:

How long after marriage do we need to apply for adjustment of status? Also, what are the steps to getting a marriage certificate? 

 

We tried to look these questions but keep getting different results. 

 

Thank you! 

~Moved to Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports~

 

There is only one proper way.. The K-1 is void upon entry. You are legally authorized to be in the US on the I-94 for the 90 days. During that time get married. Then as soon as you have all documents together you file for AOS, preferably before the end of the 90 days. While technically you could wait years and then file and still be fine, once the I-94 expires after the 90 days you are out of status and unlawfully present and can be arrested and deported, marriage doesn't prevent that. Follow these guides and you'll have no issues, we didn't. 

 

https://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos/

https://www.visajourney.com/content/k1aos/

 

Edited June 13, 2019 by Ben&Zian

[Pitaya 2,577]

4 minutes ago, yellowbee12 said:

How long after marriage do we need to apply for adjustment of status?Refer to VJ Flowchart, https://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow/ Also, what are the steps to getting a marriage certificate? Depends on your local and/or state government laws. Google search "county clerk/recorder."

 

We tried to look these questions but keep getting different results. 

 

Thank you! 

Welcome to the forum.

We are you in your visa process? Your timeline is vacant. It helps folks that are trying to respond to your inquiries, by showing them exactly where your in the visa process.

 

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[SalishSea 17,829]

Just now, yellowbee12 said:

Thanks! Is there a certain time limit that we have after getting married to apply for the adjustment of status?

Not really - it is a gray area.  BUT there have been recent posts here at VJ by people who delayed or did not file, and one in particular was actually put in jail for being out of status.  Technically, until that I-485 is filed, the immigrant is out of status.  Really recommend prioritizing it above anything else.

[Boiler 45,519]

ASAP

[yellowbee12 0]

Thank you all for your replies.

 

Will she need to have another medical exam done for the AOS? 

 

Also, can we start filling on the AOS form before we're married, in order to get the process going sooner?

 

Edited June 13, 2019 by yellowbee12

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

6 minutes ago, yellowbee12 said:

Thank you all for your replies.

 

Will she need to have another medical exam done for the AOS? 

 

Also, can we start filling on the AOS form before we're married, in order to get the process going sooner?

 

 

If the medical is still valid upon submission of the AOS packet, then you shouldn't, but if something is missing like a vaccination or such, you will have to have a civil surgeon finish it.

 

And you can start filling out the forms sure, but wouldn't date them until after the marriage itself. And obviously can't submit any of it without being married and have to show the marriage certificate.

[HRQX 4,145]

10 minutes ago, yellowbee12 said:

Will she need to have another medical exam done for the AOS?

Check her DS-3025 for completeness. If something is missing then an I-693 will be required. But don't delay filing for AOS because of a I-693. The I-693 can be done after sending in the AOS forms: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-b-chapter-4

42 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

one in particular was actually put in jail for being out of status.

 

[midwinterrose 275]

I also found the marriage license/certificate process rather confusing at first. The general procedure is that you first fill out an application for a marriage license at the county clerk office, or whichever government entity issues marriage licenses in your county.  You can sometimes apply online ahead of time and then pick it up at the office.  You both have  to go with your IDs to pick it up.  The clerk fills out the marriage license with all your info from your application and you pay the fee and they give you a copy of the license.  When you get married, you, your new spouse, the wedding officiant and a witness or two all sign the copy of the license that they gave you at the clerk's office.  Then you take (or mail) the signed license back to the clerk's office, and they record your marriage in their official record book.  Depending on the county and how they operate, you maybe able to obtain your marriage certificate five minutes after submitting your signed marriage license.  Some places make you wait a week or two to give them a chance to record the marriage properly.  But basically you fill out a request for a certified copy of their record of your marriage, also known as a marriage certificate.  It is a really good idea to get at least 4 or 5 certified marriage certificates as you need them for various steps throughout the immigration process.  

[Loren Y 2,755]

I agree with ASAP also. I had all the paperwork ready to go the day before the wedding. Got married on Saturday, went to clerks office Monday, registered the marriage, got 3 certified copies 5 minutes later. Put one original with the I485, and some copies with the EAD AP forms. Put in priority mail envelope, and went to post office and mailed it 30 minutes after recording the marriage. The AOS is the one thing you really can't wait to file. Some people get lucky and do it years later with no issues, some people make it a week past the I94 expires and end up in jail waiting on deportation procedures to begin. Definitely sell blood, plazma, even a kidney if you need to to get that AOS package filed ASAP. It just isn't worth the risk of being out of status and not being able to work or anything.

[Crazy Cat 41,865]

1 hour ago, yellowbee12 said:

Is there a certain time limit that we have after getting married to apply for the adjustment of status?

Within 90 days of arrival in the US or risk being detained and deported.......I certainly wouldn't risk it.

[Amadia 711]

I know other members have posted assistance but it can't hurt for your to  and there's one for fiance visa:

 

https://www.visajourney.com/k1-fiance-visa/

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

19 hours ago, radharose said:

I also found the marriage license/certificate process rather confusing at first

That’s why I always said: “Las Vegas!” You can get married in 2 seconds with Elvis 🕺 officiating! And they don’t care if you’re gay, straight, trans even better. You probably can marry a toaster if you want. 

Edited June 14, 2019 by USS_Voyager