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ruderc2

Self-Uniting Marriage License

By ruderc2 in Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas

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ruderc2 Newbie

ruderc2   0

Posted
Filed: F-1 Visa Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

I'm marrying an Ecuadorian who is in her 4th year in the states on an F1 student visa. We would love to get a self-uniting marriage license, and live in Pennsylvania where that (thanks to the long history of Quakers here) is no problem. Does anyone else have experience with a self-uniting license later in the green card application process? We are worried that USCIS would try and make it out to be an invalid marriage because self-uniting licenses are not available in every state.

Thanks!

Chris!

Harpa Timsah Grand Master

Harpa Timsah   13,258

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Israel
 Timeline
Posted

This just means you officiate your marriage yourself, right? It will make no difference. They just need to know you are legally married, and you will be. Each state has their own laws that vary. As long as it is a marriage, not a civil partnership or something else, it's good.

AOS for my husband
8/17/10: INTERVIEW DAY (day 123) APPROVED!!

ROC:
5/23/12: Sent out package
2/06/13: APPROVED!

Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,834

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas because it appears this is the path the OP will take based on the original post.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

  • 2 years later...
ppppp Newbie

ppppp   0

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted

Just for posterity, since this is an old thread, we did this, and the form of the license was never an issue for immigration. Or any other situation where we needed to show marriage.

That said, GETTING a self-uniting marriage license in the correct form can be a challenge in many counties. Remember that these are highly exceptional so it is a learning process for the clerks too. If there's anything a government clerk doesn't like it is putting their seal on something that is completely alien to them. Prepare to be questioned about your religion (although it should not matter) or to be issued incorrect forms. Your best bet is going to Philadelphia, where they are experienced and will give you no hassle. A PA marriage license is valid for weddings throughout the state.

  • 2 weeks later...
genddob Contributor

genddob   10

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Australia
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

Not necessary - since the ACLU sued and it was ruled that they cannot deny anyone a self uniting license based on their religion as that is discriminatory. My husband and I got a self uniting license in May. We were able to go in and pay, give ID etc then go back 3 days later to pick it up. There were no problems. You get a marriage certificate just like anyone else. You do need 2 witnesses to sign for you.

It was fantastic - no need to pay for a celebrant, no worry since we are not religious. We were able to have a dinner party with our witnesses, then marry ourselves and sign the paperwork - it was great!

Edit to say: We got ours in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh.

Edited by genddob

5/2/14 - Marriage to USC (Australian citizen on E-3 visa)

6/20/14 (Day 0): AOS package received at Chicago Lockbox
6/24/14 (Day 4): Text notification of receipt (I-130, I-131 and I-765 "Initial Review", I-485 "Accepted")
6/30/14 (Day 10): Received NOAs and biometrics notice for 7/24
7/7/14 (Day 17): Walk-in biometrics at Pittsburgh ASC
7/30/14 (Day 40): Email update: I-485 has moved to "Testing and Interview" stage

8/20/13 (Day 61): Text notification: I-131 and I-765 approved, "Card Production" status

8/28/14 (Day 69): Text notification: EAD/AP card mailed

8/29/14 (Day 70): EAD/AP card received

9/10/14 (Day 82): Text msg of case update - interview date notice mailed

10/16/14 (Day 118): Interview - approved. Text update of "card production" status
10/20/14 (Day 122): Received welcome letter

10/23/14 (Day 125): Received green card

  • 1 year later...
Pitaya Grand Master

Pitaya   2,577

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

~2 year old thread closed to further comment. new thread started, post replies there~

~last member had not been active for 2 years~

Completed: K1/K2 (271 days) - AOS/EAD/AP (134 days) - ROC (279 days)

"Si vis amari, ama" - Seneca

 

 

 

 
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