Applying for online marriage license before K1 entry (then Zoom Marriage after arrival)

[M&D2021 44]

I just learned that Utah allows for online marriage license applications. Are we allowed to apply for our marriage license before my fiance enters the US as long as we don't actually get married until after her arrival? We do so after she receives her visa and knows her travel dates. Thank you.

[payxibka 10,045]

3 minutes ago, M&D2021 said:

I just learned that Utah allows for online marriage license applications. Are we allowed to apply for our marriage license before my fiance enters the US as long as we don't actually get married until after her arrival? We do so after she receives her visa and knows her travel dates. Thank you.

Why would it be a problem?  An application for a marriage license does not convey anything other than giving you permission to get married at a future date.   

[Boiler 45,458]

Would it not be easier and cheaper to marry locally.

[Crazy Cat 41,821]

16 minutes ago, M&D2021 said:

I just learned that Utah allows for online marriage license applications. Are we allowed to apply for our marriage license before my fiance enters the US as long as we don't actually get married until after her arrival? We do so after she receives her visa and knows her travel dates. Thank you.

What are the advantages?

[M&D2021 44]

12 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Would it not be easier and cheaper to marry locally.

No, it is actually cheaper to do it virtually in Utah than locally in my state. Plus, this saves on time too since we don't need to be waiting in the clerk's office and then the magistrate's office.

[M&D2021 44]

15 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Why would it be a problem?  An application for a marriage license does not convey anything other than giving you permission to get married at a future date.   

Thank you. The reason I was asking is because I wanted to be entirely sure. I didn't think it would be an issue. On another note, is there a need for you to question my post? If you have an answer, as you did, please just respond with that. Your asking 'Why would it be a problem?' doesn't add any value and comes off as a bit snarky.

4 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

What are the advantages?

Save time and money. Plus you don't have to put on pants, if you don't want to.

[Crazy Cat 41,821]

3 minutes ago, M&D2021 said:

No, it is actually cheaper to do it virtually in Utah than locally in my state. Plus, this saves on time too since we don't need to be waiting in the clerk's office and then the magistrate's office.

Have you thought about a destination wedding after your fiance arrives?  @Loren Y has generously offered to marry VJ members in Las Vegas.  He can have you married with certificate in hand in a matter of a couple hours.  

[M&D2021 44]

2 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

Have you thought about a destination wedding after your fiance arrives?  @Loren Y has generously offered to marry VJ members in Las Vegas.  He can have you married with certificate in hand in a matter of a couple hours.  

That's a great and generous offer. Unfortunately, a destination wedding is not in the cards for us at this stage.

[JeanneAdil 6,489]

You plan to do the zoom marriage after fiancee arrives in US

nothing wrong with that as fiancee will be here to consummate the marriage

 

BUT be careful if you think to do it while fiancee is not here yet and then travel to see him before the interview /  CO would assume you consummated the marriage  on the visit  and that would mean spousal interview

 

 

[Mike E 11,739]

1 hour ago, Lucky Cat said:

What are the advantages?

 The Utah marriage certificate is faster.  
 

At some localities backlogs just to get a license are taking weeks.  The Utah marriage certificate is faster.   
 

At some localities backlogs to get the certificate are taking months.  
 

A K-1 visa entrant has just 90 days to get lots of stuff done:

 

* apply for and get SS card. Generally needs to be done before marriage.  

 

* use SSN to joint bank account and get added to at least one utility bill

 

* get a state REAL ID (requires SSN and might even require a marriage certificate for proof of address). And in most states this needs to done while there  are 60 or days of I-94 authorized stay left.  
 

* gather  the I-485 package together with evidence 

 

* send the package before the I-94 expires.  

 

1 hour ago, Lucky Cat said:

Have you thought about a destination wedding after your fiance arrives?  @Loren Y has generously offered to marry VJ members in Las Vegas.  He can have you married with certificate in hand in a matter of a couple hours.  

It’s a great solution for those who can afford it.  It also consumes precious days during the first 30 days due to travel.    And until the Utah zoom marriage it was the only solution I recommended.  
 

Now I recommend the Utah zoom marriage.  It’s the wave of the future.  

[Mike E 11,739]

10 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

You plan to do the zoom marriage after fiancee arrives in US

nothing wrong with that as fiancee will be here to consummate the marriage

 

BUT be careful if you think to do it while fiancee is not here yet and then travel to see him before the interview /  CO would assume you consummated the marriage  on the visit  and that would mean spousal interview

 

 

If Utah zoom marriage is done while the alien fiancée is not in the USA then even if they don’t meet, the couple is too married to qualify for a K-1 or use an issued K-1 

 

However applying for the marriage license might be powerful evidence of bonafide relationship and intent to marry to bring to the interview.  

Edited June 29, 2021 by Mike E

[M&D2021 44]

9 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

BUT be careful if you think to do it while fiancee is not here yet and then travel to see him before the interview /  CO would assume you consummated the marriage  on the visit  and that would mean spousal interview

My fiance already had her interview and was approved. Just waiting to get her passport back. We would marry once she arrives in the US, but since Utah allows marriage licenses to be applied for online as well, I was thinking to apply for it before she flies, but once she has her passport back and a ticket booked.

[JeanneAdil 6,489]

1 hour ago, M&D2021 said:

Thank you. The reason I was asking is because I wanted to be entirely sure. I didn't think it would be an issue. On another note, is there a need for you to question my post? If you have an answer, as you did, please just respond with that. Your asking 'Why would it be a problem?' doesn't add any value and comes off as a bit snarky.

 

telling us how to respond is against the rules and i hope the mods will point that out

 

 

1 minute ago, M&D2021 said:

My fiance already had her interview and was approved. Just waiting to get her passport back. We would marry once she arrives in the US, but since Utah allows marriage licenses to be applied for online as well, I was thinking to apply for it before she flies, but once she has her passport back and a ticket booked.

conratulations on the approval

[M&D2021 44]

1 minute ago, JeanneAdil said:

telling us how to respond is against the rules and i hope the mods will point that out

There is also a pinned post at the top of the forum that relates to negative attitudes on the forum. I was simply pointing out that asking a snarky rhetorical question is unnecessary and can be interpreted as a negative attitude. If I knew the answer to the question, I wouldn't have asked. Isn't the whole point of the forum that people should feel open to ask questions without judgement and for others to help them in a positive way? So I hope the mods point that out as well.

[Mike E 11,739]

15 minutes ago, M&D2021 said:

people should feel open to ask questions

I think your question showed a lot of inventiveness.  
 

Knowing what I know now about how much a K-1 couple needs to do in the first 30 days, your idea is such a time saver.   Hopefully all K-1s do the Utah zoom marriage moving forward and being their marriage license to the interview.   
 

One other thing.  You will be anxious to get the marriage done as soon as POE.  If you plan to get her an SS card, then marry  after your fiancée applies for an SS card (and in turn you should wait 2 business days after POE before applying for the SS card).    Some K-1 people have experienced problems applying for an SS card after getting married.  

Edited June 29, 2021 by Mike E