We didn’t have a wedding ceremony or purchase engagement rings. Concern for AOS interview?

[M&Y_2019 25]

Apologies for the second thread, but I feel this is a distinct enough topic to warrant its own discussion. 
 

My spouse and I did not have a wedding ceremony or purchase engagement rings. It’s also not something that we plan to do, though we may purchase rings in the future, it’s not a priority at all. There was no “proposal” or any event like that, we simply discussed that we wanted to get married after having been together already for many years. 
 

We have plenty of other evidence of a relationship. Joint bank accounts, life insurance for both of us, joint utilities bills, lease, health insurance, etc. 

 

Is this a concern for the AOS interview?

[Ayrton 965]

7 minutes ago, M&Y_2019 said:

Apologies for the second thread, but I feel this is a distinct enough topic to warrant its own discussion. 
 

My spouse and I did not have a wedding ceremony or purchase engagement rings. It’s also not something that we plan to do, though we may purchase rings in the future, it’s not a priority at all. There was no “proposal” or any event like that, we simply discussed that we wanted to get married after having been together already for many years. 
 

We have plenty of other evidence of a relationship. Joint bank accounts, life insurance for both of us, joint utilities bills, lease, health insurance, etc. 

 

Is this a concern for the AOS interview?

Not an issue. We also didn't have any of those.

[payxibka 10,045]

1 hour ago, M&Y_2019 said:

Apologies for the second thread, but I feel this is a distinct enough topic to warrant its own discussion. 
 

My spouse and I did not have a wedding ceremony or purchase engagement rings. It’s also not something that we plan to do, though we may purchase rings in the future, it’s not a priority at all. There was no “proposal” or any event like that, we simply discussed that we wanted to get married after having been together already for many years. 
 

We have plenty of other evidence of a relationship. Joint bank accounts, life insurance for both of us, joint utilities bills, lease, health insurance, etc. 

 

Is this a concern for the AOS interview?

If it was then we should have been denied 

[Mike E 11,739]

On 3/28/2021 at 5:20 AM, M&Y_2019 said:

My spouse and I did not have a wedding ceremony

 

Generally in the USA a couple meets in person with an officiator, they voice their consent to marry, and they are pronounced married.  This is a wedding ceremony.

 

In some parts of the USA you can have a proxy / zoom marriage but then you have have some evidence of consumption.  Your joint presence at the interview is evidence of consummation.  
 

 If you didn’t have either of the above, it will be a short interview that ends in denial.  

 

 

Quote

or purchase engagement rings.

There is no requirement to have engagement or wedding rings.  There is only a requirement to have more than zero evidence of bonafide relationship.  What is necessary is same for all couples.  What is sufficient varies by couple and IO.   
 

It also doesn’t hurt to spend $10 and have Amazon send you rings.  My wife has expensive engagement and wedding rings. I’ve the ten dollar Amazon wedding ring.
 

 Still on the day of our AOS interview I forgot to wear my wedding ring and we were approved nonetheless.  Yet we were one of the few cases that day from our field office that wasn’t approved on the spot.  Thus I wear my wedding ring each day.   
 

I believe every thing helps and I believe failure to do things in our control can be interpreted as excuses.  

Edited April 3, 2021 by Mike E