F2A - Is traditional Engagement and Court Marriage enough for Petition?

[akash.shah 0]

Hi All

I (lawful permanent resident) am planning to get married to my future spouse residing in India. I would like some insight on which approach is the cleanest and most advisable:

 

I am planning to get engaged traditionally and married legally(register marriage) in early 2020 and do a traditional marriage later towards the end of 2020. Is this advisable? 

Or

Is it best to get engaged, married both traditionally and legally at the same time ? 

 

What are the steps for me to file for my future spouse in the F2A category?

 

Could someone please shed some light as to which path is advisable? Would really appreciate the help! 

 

Thanks!

 

 

[Jen Alarma 9]

Im in F2A category too. I got married last 2017 in Civil wedding (court wedding), That year I filed for I-130 for my husband. While waiting for his petition to be approved in USCIS, earlier this year I went home and got married again in the Church. I dont see any problem with that. RN, my case is ready. Just waiting for my husband’s IL.

[akash.shah 0]

Thanks Jen! Are there any things I should keep in mind during the process? Could you elaborate the steps for me? 

 

Also, What kind of evidence do I need to prove that my marriage is bonafide? 

[Quarknase 1,072]

11 hours ago, akash.shah said:

Thanks Jen! Are there any things I should keep in mind during the process? Could you elaborate the steps for me? 

 

Also, What kind of evidence do I need to prove that my marriage is bonafide? 

Hi,

I suggest that you read the guides here, and also on USCIS page. Plenty of good information.

Once done, you can come back with more specific questions.

 

We got engaged at Nandi Hills, all by ourselves with some selfies throughout the day, and married in court. We don't have photos of the court wedding because the court does not allow any cameras.

What we do have though, is plenty of facetime (approx. 1 month per quarter) which we document with some (selected, not many) photos, flight tickets... I'd say don't stress yourself too much over "producing" evidence. Being apart is stressful enough, and "real" evidence such as spending time together, a screenshot from conversation here and there to show that you're in frequent communication with another, pretty much anything that draws the image of your relationship, should help your case. Then some paperwork (such as making the spouse the beneficiary of life insurance), normal things that responsible people do.

Others might think differently, and maybe my hubby and I are not looking at it from a "concerned enough" point of view. But we live and plan our lives together and don't think about how to produce evidence.

I hope this helps.

[Jen Alarma 9]

On 12/9/2019 at 6:37 AM, akash.shah said:

Thanks Jen! Are there any things I should keep in mind during the process? Could you elaborate the steps for me? 

 

Also, What kind of evidence do I need to prove that my marriage is bonafide? 

Yeah, @Quarknase is right. Theres a lot of guide here. If you guys have a joint bank account thats better too. What I use is The receipts of remittances, photos together, and also a land title together.