Age difference a problem?

[crow_dio 0]

Hello all,

First, I want to thank everyone who contributes to this site. It is an amazing resource. I plan on contributing everything I can also as I go through the K1 Application process.

My question to you all is about the difference in age between myself and my fiance. I am 27 and she is 17 (will be 18 in October). Will this be a negative factor in the acceptance of my application?

A little background: She is from Thailand (which the current news media isn't helping). I am in Thailand and we have been staying together for the past 3 months. I met her in March, returned to the US, and then returned to Thailand to get engaged and be with her. I plan on staying with her here until we can go to the US. I have plenty of proof of having met, ongoing relationship, etc.

She will be 18 by the time we were to get married or even receive the visa, but I wanted to know if anyone thought there was any reason why I couldn't get the ball rolling now? Also, I was worried that her signatures on the forms may not be accepted because she is under 18 and I should wait until she turns 18 to get her to fill out the paperwork. It is very difficult to work in Thailand and it is in our best interest to get back to the US ASAP so I want to file the application ASAP.

Thanks!

[gugu24 0]

Yikes! they may definately raise an eyebrow here. first let me say...You HAVE to wait for her to be 18 before she can legaly sign anything otherwise its invalid. second...3 months is not long for them to consider your relationship genuine if you havn't been together for at least two years. once they see she just turned 18 it may raise a little red flag. In any case im not saying its impossible but you definatley have to wait til she is 18. it may be better to get married once she is 18 then file for a k-3. I'm sure in your case it would be a good thing to get written affidavits from your parents and her's saying they accept the marriage. don't get them til you are ready to file.

[Jersey Girl 2]

I agree with gugu. Wait until she's 18. Then, marry and apply for K3. You'll go back to the States and get established with a job and domicile. She'll wait in Thailand. The wait for K3 may be comparable to K1.

It's not a question of age difference. It's a question of you being engaged to a child. Even if you wait until she'll 18, you'll still raise eyebrows and may have a hard time gathering proof of a legitimate relationship. Have you asked this question of others going through Thailand?

[YuAndDan 153]

True.

One thing that is helpful and you will need to consider is the rules in your state with regards to age, it is different in each state.

Since you did not fill any data in your profile it is harder for us to know your situation.

So here is a chart and the rules for all 50 states, you have to comply by the rules in your jurisdiction before USCIS will consider your case.

http://www.coolnurse.com/marriage_laws.htm

[JenT 0]

I agree with gugu. Wait until she's 18. Then, marry and apply for K3. You'll go back to the States and get established with a job and domicile. She'll wait in Thailand. The wait for K3 may be comparable to K1.

It's not a question of age difference. It's a question of you being engaged to a child. Even if you wait until she'll 18, you'll still raise eyebrows and may have a hard time gathering proof of a legitimate relationship. Have you asked this question of others going through Thailand?

She IS a child.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

I believe she needs to be eligible to marry the day she writes her own letter of intent to marry you. Hang on for another month.

The ten year age difference won't matter at that point.

Good luck!

[Yodrak 7]

crow_dio,

I believe that Thai must be 17 years of age to marry, but requires parental consent if under the age of 20.

For immigration purposes the USA recognizes marriages that are recognized by the government of the country where the marriage took place, with some exceptions such as same-sex marriages and poligamy.

Consider having a consultation with US immigration attorney William F White who practices in Bangkok to discuss the specifics of your situation. WFWlaw@AOL.com

Yodrak

Hello all,

First, I want to thank everyone who contributes to this site. It is an amazing resource. I plan on contributing everything I can also as I go through the K1 Application process.

My question to you all is about the difference in age between myself and my fiance. I am 27 and she is 17 (will be 18 in October). Will this be a negative factor in the acceptance of my application?

A little background: She is from Thailand (which the current news media isn't helping). I am in Thailand and we have been staying together for the past 3 months. I met her in March, returned to the US, and then returned to Thailand to get engaged and be with her. I plan on staying with her here until we can go to the US. I have plenty of proof of having met, ongoing relationship, etc.

She will be 18 by the time we were to get married or even receive the visa, but I wanted to know if anyone thought there was any reason why I couldn't get the ball rolling now? Also, I was worried that her signatures on the forms may not be accepted because she is under 18 and I should wait until she turns 18 to get her to fill out the paperwork. It is very difficult to work in Thailand and it is in our best interest to get back to the US ASAP so I want to file the application ASAP.

Thanks!

[rosyanne 0]

Is age differences a problem? No!

Is under age a problem? Listen to everyone else here...

[G&C 0]

Hello all,

First, I want to thank everyone who contributes to this site. It is an amazing resource. I plan on contributing everything I can also as I go through the K1 Application process.

My question to you all is about the difference in age between myself and my fiance. I am 27 and she is 17 (will be 18 in October). Will this be a negative factor in the acceptance of my application?

A little background: She is from Thailand (which the current news media isn't helping). I am in Thailand and we have been staying together for the past 3 months. I met her in March, returned to the US, and then returned to Thailand to get engaged and be with her. I plan on staying with her here until we can go to the US. I have plenty of proof of having met, ongoing relationship, etc.

She will be 18 by the time we were to get married or even receive the visa, but I wanted to know if anyone thought there was any reason why I couldn't get the ball rolling now? Also, I was worried that her signatures on the forms may not be accepted because she is under 18 and I should wait until she turns 18 to get her to fill out the paperwork. It is very difficult to work in Thailand and it is in our best interest to get back to the US ASAP so I want to file the application ASAP.

Thanks!

I have a different idea. If you can stay in Thailand for 2 years after she turns 18 . . .

Get married on her 18th +1 day birthday, if you can make it work with her parents (Sin Sod and all that other culture you will have to deal with).

After being married for 2 years, apply for a Direct Consular Filing. Although some Consulates do not particularly want to feal with the DCF, many will do a "one off" if you have been married for 2 years.

Just a though, but I will say you have a number of cultural issues to deal with at that age (1/2 my fiance's age)!

...

[mj1987 0]

If you decide to marry there, which in my opinion is the best choice given the circumstances..the US Embassy will not issue the affidavit you need for the marriage until she turns 18.

[1HappyGuy 45]

You should check what the laws of Thailand are before submitting any paperwork. She should be of legal age in her country before you file any papers. Don't be in such a rush. You are talking about a life time commitment so take your time. She's only 17 and you are only 10 year older. You have a lot of time on your hands. Do it right. The difference in age isn't bad so don't worry about that. But she should be considered an independent adult in her country.

Then file the papers and wait, wait, wait and wait some more.

[Mew 0]

second...3 months is not long for them to consider your relationship genuine if you havn't been together for at least two years. once they see she just turned 18 it may raise a little red flag.

I thought one could show proof of the legitimacy of the relationship at the interview stage, regardless of how long they've been in one. Maybe I'm mistaken. I've never heard of the 2-year thing.

Also, the OP wants to file for a K1 and not K3 (although he might consider going for a K3). Either way, the beneficiary has to be old enough for her to be ble to marry according to the laws in her country.

Edited September 3, 2006 by Mew

[KarenCee 3]

second...3 months is not long for them to consider your relationship genuine if you havn't been together for at least two years. once they see she just turned 18 it may raise a little red flag.

I thought one could show proof of the legitimacy of the relationship at the interview stage, regardless of how long they've been in one. Maybe I'm mistaken. I've never heard of the 2-year thing.

Also, the OP wants to file for a K1 and not K3 (although he might consider going for a K3). Either way, the beneficiary has to be old enough for her to be ble to marry according to the laws in her country.

Maybe the two year comment has something to do with parental permission, which I believe is needed in Thailand. True, the OP mentioned the K-1. Someone suggested that he marry her and live there for two years and do DCF.

And yes, ultimately the beneficiary has to be old enough to be married...either in her country or by the laws of the petitioner's state. Either way, she still has to be 18.

[Chris-n-Veronica 0]

Yep just follow what others have said... but age difference isn't that big of a problem if you go into it fully aware of the little bumps you'll encounter.. Lucky my fiance is mature for her 30 years and I'm still a kid at 49.. So we meet in the middle... And we are both happier then heck...laugh alot..and chase each other around alot...and more love felt then I can ever remember... Good Luck..

second...3 months is not long for them to consider your relationship genuine if you havn't been together for at least two years. once they see she just turned 18 it may raise a little red flag.

I thought one could show proof of the legitimacy of the relationship at the interview stage, regardless of how long they've been in one. Maybe I'm mistaken. I've never heard of the 2-year thing.

Also, the OP wants to file for a K1 and not K3 (although he might consider going for a K3). Either way, the beneficiary has to be old enough for her to be ble to marry according to the laws in her country.

Maybe the two year comment has something to do with parental permission, which I believe is needed in Thailand. True, the OP mentioned the K-1. Someone suggested that he marry her and live there for two years and do DCF.

And yes, ultimately the beneficiary has to be old enough to be married...either in her country or by the laws of the petitioner's state. Either way, she still has to be 18.

[KarenCee 3]

Yep just follow what others have said... but age difference isn't that big of a problem if you go into it fully aware of the little bumps you'll encounter.. Lucky my fiance is mature for her 30 years and I'm still a kid at 49.. So we meet in the middle... And we are both happier then heck...laugh alot..and chase each other around alot...and more love felt then I can ever remember... Good Luck..

Sounds like me and my husband...we balance each other perfectly.