Informal marriage for AoS

[Iza414 0]

3 minutes ago, Redro said:

Do not call it an informal marriage.

It is a legal marriage. 
If you call it an informal marriage on any of your documentation your AOS might be denied as they could believe you are ineligible for the green card. 
You are getting legally married. You’re just not having a big wedding. 
ETA congrats!
I wish you a speedy process. 
 

Thank you! 

 

Informal marriage is just the name they use for the service so not sure what else to call it but i knew it was different than your “typical” marriage/wedding

[Redro 4,611]

14 minutes ago, Iza414 said:

I know it will still be legal it’s just that’s literally what the service they offer is called. 

 

I will question if we will receive a certificate afterwards as that is important.

I’ve been doing some quick reading and common law marriage/ informal marriage is different to regular marriage license/ certificate route. 
Why do you want to go the informal marriage route and not the formal marriage route? 

[Crazy Cat 41,808]

22 minutes ago, Iza414 said:

Thank you! 

 

Informal marriage is just the name they use for the service so not sure what else to call it but i knew it was different than your “typical” marriage/wedding

You do not want anything which might appear ambiguous to USCIS.  Get a formal, legal courthouse wedding and a legal marriage certificate. 

Edited February 20 by Crazy Cat

[Ontarkie 14,215]

54 minutes ago, Iza414 said:

I think it’s also called common law marriage and yes will be legal marriage.

 

Was a bit of a shock seeing all the restrictions but luckily in a situation where this is possible financially etc. 

If I remember right a common law marriage will not allow you to AOS. It is not recognized for immigration purposes.

[mam521 2,056]

Texas common law marriage is not going to fly for immigration purposes. It's "too married" for a K1 visa, but not married enough for a CR1 visa.  Get fully MARRIED.  

 

Head to your local county clerks office, get a marriage certificate, wait your 72 hours and have an officiant marry you and file the marriage license with the State.  It doesn't have to be big or fancy, just legal.  

Edited February 20 by mam521
spelling

[Bethie 102]

23 hours ago, Iza414 said:

Hello! I came from the UK on an esta and after being here a few weeks decided we want to get married. 

 

We’re not exactly wanting a massive wedding and was wondering if getting an informal marriage will still be valid when going through the process of AoS afterwards?

 

Thanks 

Do yourself a favor, when you apply for the marriage license, don't call it a Informal marriage.

 

[Boiler 45,443]

Formal Marriage

 

Informal Wedding

[Iza414 0]

On 2/20/2024 at 2:20 PM, mam521 said:

Texas common law marriage is not going to fly for immigration purposes. It's "too married" for a K1 visa, but not married enough for a CR1 visa.  Get fully MARRIED.  

 

Head to your local county clerks office, get a marriage certificate, wait your 72 hours and have an officiant marry you and file the marriage license with the State.  It doesn't have to be big or fancy, just legal.  

Even if we register the common law marriage with the state afterwards? This isn’t enough for USCIS?

[Iza414 0]

On 2/20/2024 at 11:09 AM, Redro said:

I’ve been doing some quick reading and common law marriage/ informal marriage is different to regular marriage license/ certificate route. 
Why do you want to go the informal marriage route and not the formal marriage route? 

different how? I believed once we register the common law marriage with the state that declaration of marriage would be in placement of the “regular” signed marriage license?

 

Timeline is one reason and the main is due to my girlfriend having severe anxiety, courthouse wedding even if small in scale is a big thing for her. Would be more comfortable and preferable if we could do common law. 

[OldUser 6,604]

8 minutes ago, Iza414 said:

Even if we register the common law marriage with the state afterwards? This isn’t enough for USCIS?

Of course it's not enough.

[Crazy Cat 41,808]

6 minutes ago, Iza414 said:

Would be more comfortable and preferable if we could do common law. 

A Utah online marriage.

Edited March 3 by Crazy Cat

[OldUser 6,604]

5 minutes ago, Iza414 said:

different how? I believed once we register the common law marriage with the state that declaration of marriage would be in placement of the “regular” signed marriage license?

 

Timeline is one reason and the main is due to my girlfriend having severe anxiety, courthouse wedding even if small in scale is a big thing for her. Would be more comfortable and preferable if we could do common law. 

This is not a naturalization case. 

[powerpuff 6,677]

33 minutes ago, Iza414 said:

This isn’t enough for USCIS?

No. 
 

The whole basis for adjustment of status is a valid, legal marriage to a US citizen (immediate relative of a US citizen) - the one that produces an official marriage certificate. Common law marriage does not grant one a status of an immediate relative of a US citizen.

If you apply with anything else it will be swiftly denied. 
 

35 minutes ago, Iza414 said:

 

This is irrelevant to your case. Your fiancé is not naturalizing.

[Lil bear 4,181]

1 hour ago, Iza414 said:

different how? I believed once we register the common law marriage with the state that declaration of marriage would be in placement of the “regular” signed marriage license?

 

Timeline is one reason and the main is due to my girlfriend having severe anxiety, courthouse wedding even if small in scale is a big thing for her. Would be more comfortable and preferable if we could do common law. 

Common law marriages are only recognised /registerable in some states and are not recognised by the federal USCIS for the petition you are needing. Recognised  for naturalisation 

 

Hire a celebrant who can then conduct the ceremony in your living room. Some states require 1 or 2 other witnesses to be there and  sign the paperwork. .. check out your state requirements. 
 

or do a Utah online ceremony where you and your partner are in one place and via ZOOM the celebrant is in another. 

Edited March 3 by Lil bear

[Crazy Cat 41,808]

2 hours ago, Iza414 said:

Would be more comfortable and preferable if we could do common law. 

I don't understand why the resistance to a courthouse wedding.  The couple, the officiant, and maybe a witness are in a room together.  The whole process takes only a few minutes....formal dress isn't even required for the ones I have seen....and the result is an official marriage certificate.  That leaves no doubt for USCIS.

This is just the first hoop you have to jump through.  There will be more immigration hoops to navigate over the next several years....one of which is increased USCIS fees beginning April 1st.

Edited March 3 by Crazy Cat