Informal marriage for AoS

[J.M. 230]

As a Texas resident, I want to chime in.  A Texas common law marriage is legally treated exactly the same as any other wedding.  As such, it meets the requirements for any marriage-based petition, not just naturalization.  The naturalization quote from above, as has been stated, only applies to naturalization.  There are a few other requirements for a common law marriage to be considered valid for other immigration petitions, such as the right to alimony, child custody, estate division, and "married until death."  A Texas common law marriage satisfies all of those requirements.

 

However, I have also had a Texas civil wedding.  Me, my bride, and a Justice of the Peace were the only people present.  There is nothing to be anxious about.  10 minutes of waiting followed by a 5 minute, casual ceremony.  If you live in a large county and want to avoid a crowd, you can pick a smaller, nearby county in Texas and get married there.  You can get married anywhere in Texas, as long as you get the marriage license in the intended county, at least 3 days in advance.

 

I would highly recommend a simple civil wedding over a common law wedding.  A marriage certificate will not be questioned.  A Declaration and Registration of Informal Marriage will be something USCIS has not seen often and might lead them to ask for additional evidence, slowing down the process and causing you additional worry.