Need to get married this month but everywhere seems to be booked (California).

[baze92 33]

Hi everyone,

 

My Fiance and I are in the k1 process but she is currently here with me in the US on her tourist visa. She has been here since late June. Our plan was to fly back to Thailand, for her to do her interview, and then come back to US to get married. Unfortunately, Thai borders are still closed and not even close to our filing month interviews. And of course, covid situation is getting worse around the world. 

 

Without many choices, we decided it would be best to get married here now. 

 

The problem is, her tourist visa expires Early December and everything in booked out in our (San Diego) county until Mid December. I called neighboring counties and they are not accepting out of country residents. Additionally, they said most counties are not accepting other counties. 

 

1) Does anyone know any counties where we can get a license/married in California, before the end of November?

2) Are there any downsides if we get married in another state (not sure if it affects anything because she is not a citizen)? 

3) The county clerk suggested contacting wedding chapels. Sounds a bit sketchy to me. has anyone done this/any downsides of doing so?

4) Are there any counties open to out of county residents for virtual marriage ceremony? 

 

If anyone has any tips/suggestions regarding our situation, I would greatly appreciate it!

Edited November 2, 2020 by baze92

[Crazy Cat 41,858]

7 minutes ago, baze92 said:

Hi everyone,

 

My Fiance and I are in the k1 process but she is currently here with me in the US on her tourist visa. She has been here since late June. Our plan was to fly back to Thailand, for her to do her interview, and then come back to US to get married. Unfortunately, Thai borders are still closed and not even close to our filing month interviews. And of course, covid situation is getting worse around the world. 

 

Without many choices, we decided it would be best to get married here now. 

 

The problem is, her tourist visa expires Early December and everything in booked out in our (San Diego) county until Mid December. I called neighboring counties and they are not accepting out of country residents. Additionally, they said most counties are not accepting other counties. 

 

1) Does anyone know any counties where we can get a license/married in California, before the end of November?

2) Are there any downsides if we get married in another state (not sure if it affects anything because she is not a citizen)? 

3) The county clerk suggested contacting wedding chapels. Sounds a bit sketchy to me. has anyone done this/any downsides of doing so?

4) Are there any counties open to out of county residents for virtual marriage ceremony? 

 

If anyone has any tips/suggestions regarding our situation, I would greatly appreciate it!

Easy solution.  Contact @Loren Y and schedule a trip to Las Vegas.  Loren has graciously offered to perform marriages for VJ members.    You won't find a better offer than @Loren Y, imo.

Edited November 2, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[yuna628 9,676]

I cannot advise you about the particulars of your location, but there isn't a thing wrong with getting married in another state if marriage is what you're looking for - Vegas would be the king in small/quick weddings. There is no issue with getting married in another state, you just need to follow their rules in doing so, and make sure you have your marriage license (get a few copies) when all is said and done.

[baze92 33]

I will message him! In the meantime, if anyone else has other suggestions, please let me know!

 

Ideally a virtual marriage would be the easiest.

Edited November 2, 2020 by baze92

[igoyougoduke 1,656]

1 hour ago, baze92 said:

I will message him! In the meantime, if anyone else has other suggestions, please let me know!

 

Ideally a virtual marriage would be the easiest.

what exactly is virtual marriage ? 

[NandV 87]

1 hour ago, baze92 said:

I will message him! In the meantime, if anyone else has other suggestions, please let me know!

 

Ideally a virtual marriage would be the easiest.

I agree with going with @Loren Y. It's the easiest and she can give you all the paperwork you need to continue in the process. Have you tried like Riverside or other areas around there? US immigration is complicated enough, I don't know if a completely virtual marriage would work. I think virtual marriages usually have an officiant in the background and it's virtual for F&F

[payxibka 10,045]

1 hour ago, baze92 said:

I will message him! In the meantime, if anyone else has other suggestions, please let me know!

 

Ideally a virtual marriage would be the easiest.

Google would be your friend for regulation regarding virtual ceremonies in California 

[laylalex 7,284]

We used a notary public in the LA area that has been authorized to issue confidential marriage licenses when it became clear there wasn't going to be enough time to get a license before our wedding day due to no online appointments being available with the county clerk. I researched on VJ to make sure other people have not had problems using a confidential marriage certificate and saw other people have been successful. There is no waiting time to get one of these licenses. The only hitch is that (1) you have to use it in your county and (2) you must be living with your spouse-to-be when it is issued. If you have had a divorce finalized in the past 2 years you need to have the paperwork on hand to show it is final. 

 

Google "get confidential marriage license California notary San Diego" and you'll see services near you. The wait time for the marriage certificate itself is still dependent on the county. We thought it was 4-6 weeks but we have just learned it's more like 6-8 weeks. Not sure what it's like in SD County. We did it only because we aren't in a hurry to file AOS and it was important to be in this county. I would seriously consider Loren Y's offer if I were you!

Edited November 2, 2020 by laylalex

[baze92 33]

@NandV Yea good point on the virtual marriage. We will avoid that to be safe.

 

We found some places early as November 19 but that's still pushing it because it takes 2 weeks to get the certificate.

 

We also found some super small town by the California border that has an earlier opening, but can't get ahold of them.

 

Probably easier to drive to Vegas at that point!

[baze92 33]

@laylalex Glad that worked out for you! I think we will avoid that because we want to keep things on the safer side since we are marrying on her tourist visa. Also doesn't look like anything available in SD county anyways.

[Ontarkie 14,225]

~~Moved to Moving Here and YOur New Life, form K1 P&P - the OP is looking for places to be married.~~

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

Get those blue suede shoes on and go visit Elvis in viva Las Vegas 😂

[Timona 4,207]

I'll add another option. You can come to Houston. Just let me know in advance.

I know 2 people who I can guarantee you will officiate. Personal friends. 

[Verrou 1,962]

Lived in NYC and got married in Massachusetts June 2020 due to covid 19 city hall in NYC still closed...easy peasy

[Dietdrpepper 6]

My husband and I live in San Diego and we got married in April when everything was shutting down - we drove down to Yuma AZ where there are a bunch of Covid-conscious celebrants.