I (Vietnamese-American (M)) am currently in the process of submitting my I-129F application to USCIS for my Vietnamese national fianc e (F).
My fianc e's parents would like to have a religious tea ceremony as soon as possible in Vietnam. Under Vietnamese law, Vietnam does not recognize a wedding as a legal (bona fide) marriage unless there is a valid marriage certificate or document on file with the government. Is USCIS knowledgeable in the laws for a specific country (Vietnam)? If I were to go through with filing a I-129F instead of a I-130, will USCIS be following Vietnamese law, or can they still deny us on their own account for being "too married" regardless if it was bona-fide or not.
Essentially, if my fianc e and I have a big ceremony for all of her family and friends (and mine as well, as we are both Vietnamese), but do not file for a marriage certificate (non bona-fide marriage), will we still be fine for a K-1 Fianc e Visa? Or will we be denied and would have to petition/start all over.
Thank you so much!