Unusual situation- filing for k-1 visa.. fiance is my cousin

[love.wins 0]

Hello All!

This is my first post and before I begin the process of filing I would greatly appreciate all the advice I can get.

I don't know how else to say it, so here it goes.... my fiance is also my cousin.. first cousin - as in his mom and my dad are siblings. I am sure it is not the first, nor last, time this will occur, but for some reason I am really nervous about the entire process. I am very nervous that my petition will be denied due to this fact.

Also, he is a citizen of Mexico. I know cousin marriage is legal in the states, but I also worry about being able to have a catholic church wedding in Mexico.. can it be allowed? I'm not sure if a "Padre" will agree to marry us. It may break my heart if not.

Anyone in this situation of knowledge willing to send me some advice.. some peace of mind. It will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so, so much in advanced.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

You will need to include a statement letting them know what state you intend to marry in and that it allows first cousin marriages. You may even wish to include a copy of the state law showing it is legal there.

If you are going to marry using a K-1, then you cannot marry first in Mexico.

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Moved from K1 Process to What Visa Do I Need Forum~

~Inquiry about family visas~

[love.wins 0]

@ KayDeeCee:

will do that. thank you.

As far as I know, 's long as it's just the church wedding.. we can marry in Mexico first. I have family friends that have done it that way. They have their church wedding/ceremony in Mexico and once they are both in states, before the 90 days of course, they have their civil wedding in the states.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

@ KayDeeCee:

will do that. thank you.

As far as I know, 's long as it's just the church wedding.. we can marry in Mexico first. I have family friends that have done it that way. They have their church wedding/ceremony in Mexico and once they are both in states, before the 90 days of course, they have their civil wedding in the states.

If there is no marriage certificate, nothing registered or legal, then you could do it. However, I advise you to be cautious > http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/380796-church-service-in-mexico/

[dilip 187]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States_by_state

[2] Also not a good idea to marry in any form in Mexico if you are applying for KI. Any photos of marriage ceremony in FACEBOOK by your friends or any social media will kill your case. You never know who will post them and you have no control. It might be a good idea to get married in USA and then have another ceremony in Mexico afterward. Since you are already married in the USA, the church in Mexico might be more flexible

[Unidentified 2,930]

You will need to include a statement letting them know what state you intend to marry in and that it allows first cousin marriages. You may even wish to include a copy of the state law showing it is legal there.

If you are going to marry using a K-1, then you cannot marry first in Mexico.

1. It depends on the state you will be living in will allow. You need proof that it's legal.

2. I wouldn't marry in Mexico. Even if you don't get a marriage certificate, if the consulate suspect you're married you'll be denied.

[baron555 934]

Hello All!

This is my first post and before I begin the process of filing I would greatly appreciate all the advice I can get.

I don't know how else to say it, so here it goes.... my fiance is also my cousin.. first cousin - as in his mom and my dad are siblings. I am sure it is not the first, nor last, time this will occur, but for some reason I am really nervous about the entire process. I am very nervous that my petition will be denied due to this fact.

Also, he is a citizen of Mexico. I know cousin marriage is legal in the states

Is it allowed in your state?

, but I also worry about being able to have a catholic church wedding in Mexico.. can it be allowed? I'm not sure if a "Padre" will agree to marry us. It may break my heart if not.

Go to the Catholic forum and ask there.

Anyone in this situation of knowledge willing to send me some advice.. some peace of mind. It will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so, so much in advanced.

[CowBoE 429]

@ KayDeeCee:

will do that. thank you.

As far as I know, 's long as it's just the church wedding.. we can marry in Mexico first. I have family friends that have done it that way. They have their church wedding/ceremony in Mexico and once they are both in states, before the 90 days of course, they have their civil wedding in the states.

If you get married in Mexico (off the record sort of speak) and declared that

you guys are not married and are eligible to marry in your K1 visa filing

then...

you are lying to USCIS and that is a fraud.

Just note that what you can get away with doesn't make it legal,

and it can backfire on you guys...if such fact is somehow sniffed out by USCIS.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 192]

You can marry your 1st Cousin in any one of these States:

Alabama

Alaska

California

Colorado

Connecticut

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Maryland

Massachusetts

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina*

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Vermont

Virginia

* North Carolina- First cousin marriage is legal. Double cousin marriage is prohibited.

Source: http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/state-laws-regarding-marriages-between-first-cousi.aspx

[Eric & Idalia 56]

If you get married in Mexico (off the record sort of speak) and declared that

you guys are not married and are eligible to marry in your K1 visa filing

then...

you are lying to USCIS and that is a fraud.

Just note that what you can get away with doesn't make it legal,

and it can backfire on you guys...if such fact is somehow sniffed out by USCIS.

In Mexico, church and government are separated. So If you get married by the church you are not legally married. But you are married for the Catholic church.

That said, I think (as someone above said) that is better if you wait to get married by the church after you are done with the K1/AOS process. Because this thing about being married just by the church can confused the consul as things are different in US and he/she can denied the visa.

[marriedguy 34]

You are ready to take this large step of Marrying your first cousin ?, you might want to read a little about Genetics Diseases before you take this step of marrying your first cousin.

Do not be offended.

Wish you luck in your marriage

Hello All!

This is my first post and before I begin the process of filing I would greatly appreciate all the advice I can get.

I don't know how else to say it, so here it goes.... my fiance is also my cousin.. first cousin - as in his mom and my dad are siblings. I am sure it is not the first, nor last, time this will occur, but for some reason I am really nervous about the entire process. I am very nervous that my petition will be denied due to this fact.

Also, he is a citizen of Mexico. I know cousin marriage is legal in the states, but I also worry about being able to have a catholic church wedding in Mexico.. can it be allowed? I'm not sure if a "Padre" will agree to marry us. It may break my heart if not.

Anyone in this situation of knowledge willing to send me some advice.. some peace of mind. It will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so, so much in advanced.

Edited July 7, 2015 by marriedguy

[Cathi 5,607]

Cousin marriage is not legal in the majority of states. Before making a decision you need to make sure it's legal in the state you plan to marry in.

http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/state-laws-regarding-marriages-between-first-cousi.aspx

[Unidentified 2,930]

You are ready to take this large step of Marrying your first cousin ?, you might want to read a little about Genetics Diseases before you take this step of marrying your first cousin.

Do not be offended.

Wish you luck in your marriage

I read somewhere that the states that do legalize cousin marriage only allow it if the people involved can't reproduce. Don't know if this is true or just one of those false info floating around on the internet.

But yeah, I agree. It's a big step.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I read somewhere that the states that do legalize cousin marriage only allow it if the people involved can't reproduce. Don't know if this is true or just one of those false info floating around on the internet.

But yeah, I agree. It's a big step.

In 20 states it's allowed without any stipulations. In the following states it is allowed with these stipulations:

First cousin marriage is allowed in these states under the following circumstances:

Arizona- if both are 65 or older, or one is unable to reproduce.

Illinois- if both are 50 or older, or one is unable to reproduce.

Indiana- if both are at least 65.

Maine- if couple obtains a physician's certificate of genetic counseling.

Utah- if both are 65 or older, or if both are 55 or older and one is unable to reproduce.

Wisconsin- if the woman is 55 or older

Op appears to be living in California so I believe it is permitted in his state.