screw it, we're going to the courthouse

[Caladan 19]

Trying to plan a Catholic wedding with a visa process is impossible. We have to meet with the priest within seven months of our wedding and sign some paperwork. But by seven months, we really mean 'by April' when the priest isn't busy, to give the diocese time to do the paperwork. We can't do it in June if we're getting married in July.

Now, kids, what did we all learn about the K-1 visa? Single-use visa, one time entry, within six months of issuing the K-1. So if C. gets the visa on 2/14, what *can't* he do in April if we want to get married in July? Anyone? Anyone? Caller #1 go ahead...... is it... enter the U.S.? YES INDEED.

I have no idea how to make this work. If we delay getting the visa, they won't let us reserve the date. If we get the visa, we can't meet with the priest in April. If we don't meet with the priest in April, we can't get married in July because really, it's just as big a bureaucracy except they ask for baptismal certificates rather than birth certificates.

[rob&ana 0]

Trying to plan a Catholic wedding with a visa process is impossible. We have to meet with the priest within seven months of our wedding and sign some paperwork. But by seven months, we really mean 'by April' when the priest isn't busy, to give the diocese time to do the paperwork. We can't do it in June if we're getting married in July.

Now, kids, what did we all learn about the K-1 visa? Single-use visa, one time entry, within six months of issuing the K-1. So if C. gets the visa on 2/14, what *can't* he do in April if we want to get married in July? Anyone? Anyone? Caller #1 go ahead...... is it... enter the U.S.? YES INDEED.

I have no idea how to make this work. If we delay getting the visa, they won't let us reserve the date. If we get the visa, we can't meet with the priest in April. If we don't meet with the priest in April, we can't get married in July because really, it's just as big a bureaucracy except they ask for baptismal certificates rather than birth certificates.

Just a thought...

If you go to the pre-marital courses (training, whatever is called). And get the paperwork from your correspondent diocesis (given of course that you've thoroughly explained the whole situation to your priest). Would that help? I know that priests wants people in the same room because there are questions that they ask just so you can see the reaction. But I dont know, try to explain in both diocesis, and see if they can accomodate you a little bit? Just a thought...

[meauxna 15]

C-baby, poor thing

Others have arranged to do some of the pre cana stuff in the home country and apart. Will your priest(s) work with you?

I know others have struggle with this and succeeded. If anyone can, it's you.

[Traviesa 0]

I'm sorry to hear that it's not going to work out. Wedding stuff is just one, of many, visa-related disappointments.

[Caladan 19]

It's not the pre-cana stuff. That we can do apart. It's the 'here is his baptismal certificate, here is mine, let us sign some paperwork saying we're going to have catholic kids' that we need to do within the presence of the priest in this diocese and man, if you want to get yelled at by a priest, ask whether you can sign it with another priest, or work out something long distance, oh, and

"they'll really scrutinize you down at the diocese because he's Canadian."

#######? I should send the priest my K-1 packet. Maybe cc: the bishop on it.

[rob&ana 0]

One of the reason's I have not insisted in having the Catholic wedding, in spite of my mother and my mother in law's dissapointment is precisely the bureocracy of it all. No need for stressing my perfectly and lovable world right now.

[Carlawarla 1]

Okay, okay...just read your latest post, so some of these questions have been answered.

Sounds like this guy is kind of a jerk. Signing papers both of you at the same time to say you're going to raise any children Catholic? Handing over baptismal papers? Sounds VERY inflexible to me. Tell him that you're going to go to the courthouse you guess....bet his act changes then!

Hugs

Wow, what an awesome rant! Feel better?

I've read this several times....

He goes for the interview in February, his visa will be good until 14 Aug 2007

If he enters the US in April, say the end of April...you could get married in July 2007.

What prepatory work can he do before he comes to the US in April? Can you both meet the Priest in April for the July wedding?

Personally, I'd dump it on the Priest...tell him what you can, and cannot do, and see what he suggests. Maybe he has someone else that can marry you. Maybe you don't get married in your home dioscese?

Just my two cents worth!

Carla

P.S. Go somewhere isolated, and have a HUGE primal scream. It helps, honest!

Edited February 2, 2007 by cartoboy123

[Ladylethal 12]

I'd treathen to marry in a different religion ceremony 'cus he's just making things too hard.

[rob&ana 0]

I dont think a catholic priest would fall for that...

You dont threaten your priest, it's not like they are getting huge funds for this.

Go to another diocesis? I dunno, I think you're supposed to get married in your own diocesis (territorial thing going on).

Does it really have to be so far in advance?? I'd go later on saying Im pregnant that I NEED to get married in July... Or the baby will be born out of wedlock... that might help...

Ok... Im joking... and dont mean to make light of your situation.

[Caladan 19]

If you're detecting a bit of 'this is the Roman Catholic Church, how dare the United States government, piddly little republic, try to dictate over OUR RULES' in matters of weddings in the priest's voice, you're very smart. Oh, and the reason it has to be April is that May is first communion season, and June starts weddings. I don't know why we can't come in on a weekday.

It's a battle of the iron-minded bureaucracies. Personally, I'd bet on the Jesuits. They fight mean.

We'd have him enter in April or May if it didn't mean we'd have tons of other problems. First, he wants to say goodbye to his family. Second, he really needs to work through May if we're not going to hit a bunch of financial troubles our first year.

[mawilson 2,133]

Now, kids, what did we all learn about the K-1 visa? Single-use visa, one time entry, within six months of issuing the K-1. So if C. gets the visa on 2/14, what *can't* he do in April if we want to get married in July? Anyone? Anyone? Caller #1 go ahead...... is it... enter the U.S.? YES INDEED.

He can enter the U.S. in April without activating his K-1 visa, then go back and use the K-1 later

(within 90 days of your scheduled wedding.)

[sophyie 0]

So- is it really really important to you to actually have the catholic wedding?

Could you go to the courthouse and have a catholic ceremony (renewal of vows maybe?) later?

Sorry if these questions are really dumb, but I don't know anything about catholic weddings...

I'm sorry that the wedding planning is such a pain. It's supposed to be a happy time.

[Autumnchik 6]

Awww, I am so sorry to hear about this. First you have to deal with the lovely government, then you have to deal with another bureaucracy. Argh!!!

I just spoke to my mother. She had just gone to a Catholic wedding in the New Haven area where the bride and groom were actually legally married already and the priest did perform the ceremony. I know it is not ideal, but is that anything you could do? Have a civil ceremony when he arrives and then have the Catholic wedding later?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Trying to plan a Catholic wedding with a visa process is impossible. We have to meet with the priest within seven months of our wedding and sign some paperwork. But by seven months, we really mean 'by April' when the priest isn't busy, to give the diocese time to do the paperwork. We can't do it in June if we're getting married in July.

Now, kids, what did we all learn about the K-1 visa? Single-use visa, one time entry, within six months of issuing the K-1. So if C. gets the visa on 2/14, what *can't* he do in April if we want to get married in July? Anyone? Anyone? Caller #1 go ahead...... is it... enter the U.S.? YES INDEED.

I have no idea how to make this work. If we delay getting the visa, they won't let us reserve the date. If we get the visa, we can't meet with the priest in April. If we don't meet with the priest in April, we can't get married in July because really, it's just as big a bureaucracy except they ask for baptismal certificates rather than birth certificates.

They should accommodate for your special circumstances. My father is an ordained Deacon and has taken care of preparing couples for marriages for many years - there's always special circumstances that come up. If your parish is small and it's just one or two priests running the entire show, you probably won't have much luck. I'd recommend finding a fairly large and more modern parish that has several Deacons - they actually can marry couples.

[sophyie 0]

Now, kids, what did we all learn about the K-1 visa? Single-use visa, one time entry, within six months of issuing the K-1. So if C. gets the visa on 2/14, what *can't* he do in April if we want to get married in July? Anyone? Anyone? Caller #1 go ahead...... is it... enter the U.S.? YES INDEED.

He can enter the U.S. in April without activating his K-1 visa, then go back and use the K-1 later

(within 90 days of your scheduled wedding.)

There was a very recent thread discussing this topic:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=52360&hl=

I don't know if it's different cause it's Canada/US?