Thank you,
I didn't think when i send this post, yes USCIS is different from the French Consulate.
Thank you for the advice, when i will go for my interview, i will ask the immigration officer to add the hyphen.

For information, the lady working for l'etat civil at the San Francisco consulate is just plain rude.

I told her about the issue and she started litterally screaming and telling me she has to double check my application. She saw my birth certificate and she said there was nothing she could do as it was written that way. I know it is written Jean Claude not Jean, Claude.
Anyhow, i decided to let it slide. The only way for having her change anything would be to rectify my birth certificate, it seems. I don't think, i can do that from here.

I am bummed, she was just so mean, like i was bugging her or something.

I am sorry for you Lili.
It sucks to see that some persons can be so rude, and it begins to be really frustrating to realise that it is actually their work to help you out!

And the fact that she is a government employee! Oh well, thanks for the message.

I agree, welcome to all frenchies in here ! My husband is american and I am a french citizen (well actually I am also French-Russian) But i am more French in my heart now, than russian, even if I am by birth.

I'd like to meet some other french too, who got married to americans, I would never think of that ever, that my true love would be american, since I really disliked this country, but now i made peace, and I am glad we found each other ! The world should be more open to all cultures !

Welcome here, Polis!

I saw your topic on the K-3 forum and hope you find a way to come on VWP.

How is everyone doing? It saddens me to see our thread dying!

Here, nothing new. I have made peace with the "mispelled" first name of my father on my "livret de famille". Maybe I will bring this to my dad and see if he can go fix the mistake on my BC.
I made an infopass with USCIS for August 18th to make sure no important paperwork was lost. AOS has been going on for 6 months. A little frustrating but my local office is so behind.

I am leaving my current job and starting a job for the State in September. I am excited and definitely need the change.
Oh and I am taking 2 weeks of vacation in between, way needed after a year without a day off!

So what is up with everyone?
I know Cecy finally received her GC! Miduvil just recently started her AOS but what about everyone else?

Hello Lili,
Yes the beginning of a long process, finally i got some flight tickets for the 18th of august to come and visit my beloved husband for 10 days, I hope everything will be fine because we made some reservations for some holidays, so... I was in the states for the last time a month ago, I hope the PEO will be nice with me, I am dying to see my husband again..... and he si too...
so, just if you have any advice, how you go visit your husband in the states, and how it's happening, etc... just don't hesitate to give them to me, I don't want to have any problem, since I don't intent to over stay, i just want to be with my love while we wait for this visa... and then be together forever !!!

I heard there is a pre-clearance US immigration in Dublin. Basically, they tell you whether or not you will be accepted in the US. It can save you a lot of headaches if you have the opportunity to change your flight tickets. But you might want to double check in one of subforums.
I'd love to be of more help but my case is different. I was here on a F-1 visa when I met my hubby, so all my travels were interstate not international.

Ah... mais c'est quoi un AOS?
Hmm i don't get it, how so a pre-clearance US immigration in Dublin? I should go to Dublin first to ask?
hmmm it's very nice you try to help though

AOS=adjustment of status, basically the paperwork you will have to fill out once married.

Here is a good link about pre-clearance.
I know some people in Europe who wants to visit their fiances while K-1 is in process go through Dublin. That way, if they are rejected they do not suffer 8+ hours of flight times 2.
Maybe the UK forum has more information on that subject.

Thanks for the links I checked those, I just don't understand why PEO can send you home even if you come for 10 days, visit your husband, with a visa waiver, it's really weird to me, it's like "over security" and the victimes are not even guilty for anything, just be inlove with an american citizen... which is not something you 'choose'...
Well, I will take a lot of papers to proove i am living in Berlin, like my bank stuff, and my french ambassy card that prooves they are taking care of me if anything happens, i hope it will help

I know, it sucks. Border Patrols are not always the nicest people, i have had my fair share.
I wish you good luck and only provide information that is asked. Do not overtalk, just a concise answer is needed.
Oh, you might want to bring a copy of your K-1 NOA to prove that you know the immigration laws and want to do things the right way.

Thank you, i'll take everything, i am filling for a K-3, so I just think if they ask me the purpose of my visit, do you think i'd rather say like tourism and visit family? Or go into the "details" and say "visit my husband" ... and then they can ask more informations?

I'll take everything i can though, a friend in the states who works for the senator of the state, even wants to help me and find out if she can make a letter for me in case, i don't know it's great if it could help as a proove i am in good hands and very doing things legally

I would just say vacation and if they request more details, then give more. But do not disclose what is not asked, wait for them to ask for it.
I hope it all works out for you!

Thanks for advices... "je croise les doigts" and try to be relaxed and natural there is no reason to be stressed, if there to see my beloved husband

I know this thread has been around awhile but I just discovered it. :)My fiance (male) is from France and lives in Paris. I am American. We met in California. And as much as I love Paris and visiting France I'll be so happy when we can be together every day. We just started the K1 process. Oh, despite taking many many classes... I still don't speak French. I know, I'm awful.

Welcome Koakland!
Don't feel bad about the not speaking french. It is such an hard language to learn. It will take time and perseverance.
Have you tried joining a french association or something? It can be a fun way to keep the exposure to the french language to a maximum.

Yes it takes time and motivation, you know, i understand your situation, after all, even if you want to learn, then you'll have to practice it. I see in my situation, my husband is really good in languages, and started french very seriously, but at home we speak english, even if he understands, i don't feel myself to speak french, it's more natural to speak french between the two of us, so even if you have the best conditions, then you'll have to see if it's "comfortable" for you guys.

I am sure you can find a way to start though:p

Welcome Koakland and Polis!

I definitely need to make more of an effort. I've taken classes in high school, in college and in a junior college after college. Whenever I'm in a french speaking environment (in France or in a class) my comprehension improves. I don't really feel very comfortable speaking french in France because I've had some embarrassing public moments when french speakers are obviously annoyed with my french speaking attempts. In a classroom setting I feel more comfortable. My fiance is nearly fluent in english so it's easier for us to communicate in english. He says that its cute when I try to speak and write in french. hahhaha. but I definitely will make more of an effort. He's leaving his friends, job, country and everything to be in the US with me so I think I should try harder to learn his language and show him that I appreciate his sacrifices.

Hi everyone and welcome to the newcomers to this thread. It's nice to see it a bit more active.
As someone mentionned before I got my green card. Yeah! 1 year to get it but so worth it. I'm still not sure when we'll go visit France. Sometimes in 2009, maybe in September because one of my cousins is getting married then.
It's been tough to be without AP and unable to go back to my home country, I guess to know you can't go makes it even worth. But I'm excited, some of my family members are coming in the fall to witness our family wedding.

Anyone else planning a second wedding? If so where are you doing it? France or the US?

Polis If you are employed take a letter from your employer with you saying at which date you are due back to work on top of everything else you mentioned.
Stick to the truth as much as possible without telling too much: visiting familly is a good idea. It all depends on the immigration officer.

Koakland I wish my husband was like that. With the help of my family I bought him Rosetta Stone last Christmas. Let's say that if he finds the time and the motivation to do it once a month it's great.
I don't know how to teach him French. I am not a French teacher and the fact that his foreign language capacities are low does not help either. Some people say: speak to him in French only. Err, hi, we're a couple we kind of need to communicate and understand each other...
I guess there is no magic way to do things, but I sure look forward to the day when I'll be able to discuss with my husband in my mother tongue.
Anyone else having trouble getting their spouse/fiance to learn French? Any solution?

Well i do not work anymore, I used to, but... i stopped, I am a student still but i need to suscribe again and registrate in september.So I have no prooves.
Do you think that a letter of the landlady of my husband (she is working for a famouse american senator) can help, with her saying about my good intentions and that I intend to go back is good instead of a letter of my employer since I don't have any?

Hey Cecy, nice to hear back from you!!

When are you planning your second wedding? If you have one in France, be careful that it is not official or you will need it to have it annulled (Consulate lady told me that!)

I'd like to have one too and most likely in France, somewhere beautiful like a vineyard or something. But money, vacation and planning is tough.

In regard to learning French, my hubby like you has the Rosetta Stone but it is hard to learn without practicing it. And it feels really odd trying to speak french with my hubby.

I think, in the long run, we need to move in a francophone country for a little while. It really will be the easiest way.

Polis That letter sounds like a good idea. Anything that can prove your intent to return to France will be an asset.

Thank you Cecy and Lili for the advices, my husband said, (i'll arrive in NYC) that it's summer and touristic time, so I shouldn't have any problem if i come for vacations and visit my family. The truth is, it's very very hard to be without my husband and him not being able to come to Europe, or only for a week, which is really short and so painful at the end. No time to do anything during a week. Ahhhhhhhh i am very nervous about this custom, I should relax it's true, especially since we are doing nothing bad, but are just about to see our husbands... well, i have just one, i am sort of lucky my husband's landlady works for the governement, I don't know if it could help, I truly hope so... ahhhhhhhh
I would collapse if they send me back, really... not seeing my husband over a month it's like a torture...

Lili
It will be in the US.
I thought about France, but then 1)as you said there is the legal issue.
The main problem was: I didn't know when I would get the Green Card and didn't think a wedding without the bride would be that cool

I really liked the idea of getting married outside in the US (not so common in France) and a lot of his close family and friends would not have been able to make it. Not to mention that I didn't see myself not being involved in the planning and tasting and all that. I can be a control freak so letting everyone organize our wedding without me... nope! Can't delegate that much.

So we'll plan a big party for France whenever we go, but the wedding will be here.

Same here: it feels odd to talk with him in French, especially when he doesn't understand a thing that I'm saying. So I joined two groups who are francophone or francophile to help him practice or a least here the language more. I get to talk with others in French and while he can only guess what we are talking about I think it will help eventually.
It's tough though.


If you know someone where you'll be a student it could be good to have them do a letter regarding your registration and that school starts at such date and all that. Really any official looking document that says you are due back at such and such date is good.
When I applied for a J1 visa years ago, I brought a document from my university director saying that I was due at such dates for the final exams.

Make sure it's in english or bi-langual for the POE.

But I think your husband is right too.

When I came in it was to visit my now husband, boyfriend at the time. I arrived in August and told them I was visiting family and friends.
I also helps if you come for a short stay.
If you can avoid mentioning that your husband is there and american it might make things easier. If you have to, just be ready to provide some proof that you are going back.

Cecy, if you were willing to give away some of your planning to a wedding planner, a tropical wedding in Hawaii is beautiful.
A friend did that and her pictures are simply gorgeous.
Good luck with all the planning! Have you decided a date yet?

I hope your husband can learn english by hanging around you and the francophone group. I thought about starting to do that but commuting to Seattle isn't fun.

What is your group named, if I may ask?

I know Hawaii is beautiful, we visited the in-laws twice there.
But we're all set for the wedding (see signature). November 8th, locally, we've got pretty much everything set. I'm excited to do it here and that my family is coming and will get to know where we live.

I hope he can pick it up that way too. The reason I joined francophone groups was because last year when my brother visited us for three weeks, we would talk french a lot together and my husband told me at the end of his stay that hearing us speak helped him pick up words and all.
Yeah I can understand wanting to avoid a big commute.

I joined two groups one is called Le Cercle Francais a "insert name of city". The second one I found out through http://www.meetup.com/
go to "Find a Meetup"
"Culture and Language"
and then you can select two different ones: "Expat French groups" or "French Language group"
Check if there is anything close by.
It's through the meetup group that I found out about the Cercle Francais. Both are interesting for us.

Edit: I went that way because the Alliance Francaise is in Charlotte and that's too far from us.

Hello France/America Couples,

How long is the Extraits de Casier Judiciaire valid? I have several months before I receive the NOA2 but would like to prepare all the required documents. Is the police certificate valid for a short amount of time? How long will it take my fiance to receive one? Any help is definitely appreciated. Thanks!

I posted an answer for you in the other thread you created.

hahaha thanks. i thought i posted it here initially and then realized that i made a mistake. oops. thanks!

no sweat!

Hello
We got married yesterday!
I have a question for the ones who did the "transcription". Apparently they ask for a certified copy of the marriage certificate. Can I just send a photocopy of that certified copy? I suppose that I can't but figured I should ask first. We only have one certified copy so if I need to send it, I'll have to request another one.

Congratulation on your wedding!!
The marriage certificate must have the apostille. In order to get it, you need to send your certified copy of the marriage certificate to the secretary of State who in exchange of a small fee ($10 or less, depends on your state) will attach an apostille to it. Without it, the French Consulate will reject your application.
Just a little FYI, your birth certificate cannot be older than 3 months and your US spouse's one cannot be older than 6 months.

You did the "publication des bans" right?
I am not sure if birth certificates are needed if you did things the right way.

Mmh, you are dependent on the French Consulate in Boston and their instructions do not mention anything about apostille but my Consulate required it. I know how the French Government wants the same exact papers like clockwork.
You might want to give them a ring. If not, all instructions are given here.

Congrats Cecile & Bryan!

Thanks!

Are these documents and the process you refer to necessary to have the marriage recognized in France? I have never heard of this before. Please help

yes we did the "publication des bans". I don't see how the birth certificate of my husband cannot be older than six months since they only get one. I mean, it's not like in France. What we get in France is a copy of our BC. Here they don't give a copy but an original. I had sent a photocopy of it for the publication des bans (along with mine, that was less than 3 months old - or 6 - can't remember). Maybe I'll send them an email to ask if we need to send BC again.
So since it needs the apostille I will really need to request another certified copy just for the French paperwork then.
Oh and we are dependant of the Consulate in Chicago, not Boston.

The fact that you did the publication des bans will simplify things.
On all copies of BC, even in France, it gives the date the copy was made. The same goes with an American BC. Your hubby can request many certified copies of his BC, my hubby has three of them. I don't even think you need them anyhow since you did the publication des bans.
Regarding requesting certified copies of your marriage certificate, you can do it in person.



Yes, they are. Ask your fiance to look into it! Doing all these paperwork will give you the privilege of getting your "livret de famille".

Felicitations Cecile!

For the birth certificate, it's the date of the copy, it's a certified copy, with a raised seal, not an original. However, I sent in one that was a year old, and had no problems. I wasn't about to go about getting another one anyway, I live in WI, but was born in OH so that would have been a hassle. When we got married, we got extra certified copies of our marriage certificate because we knew we'd need them. You have to figure you'll need one for AOS, one to get your SS card and driver's license, one to send away to get your passport name changed, and one for the publication des bans, and one just to have I guess. I think we have about 5 total. Oh, we needed an extra one cause USCIS said we didn't include it in our AOS packet, but I'm sure they lost it, so it was good to have backups on hand.

Well, I did send them a photocopy of the birth certificate he's had for years for the "publication des bans" and had no problems. I just sent them an email to know if I need to send them other copies of these birth certificates, as they already have it, we will see what they answer.
Alright so I'm definitely going to need more certified copies soon. Do they keep them for the SS card and driver's license, or do they just want to see it?

Hello again,

I hate to be a pain but will someone please explain all this to me? I asked my fiance about it and he had no clue. (But promised he'd look into it ) From your posts I gather that before I get married in the US I have to turn in paperwork to the French consulate so that my marriage can be legal in France? Is this necessary/French law? What is the benefit? -- If we want to move to France? Will someone please briefly explain all this to me? I don't know much about French law. Merci!

Basically, before the marriage, you have to do something called the "publication des bans". All the French couples have to do it before they get married, and now when a French person gets married abroad, they also have to do it.
Then, once you are married, you ask the consulate to "transcript" the marriage, so it is recognized by the French authorities too.
I have no clue if there are any benefits, I'm doing it just because it is the way it is supposed to be, and since I'm French I'd rather make sure that I'm married by the French laws too

Some people have skipped the "publication des bans" and did the transcription without any problems.

The best thing to do is to find out which consulate you are dependant of and then read what they say on the "marriage" section of their website.

Having your marriage recognized allows you to get the "livret de famille" where all the birth of your children (if you decide to have any!) are recorded. It is basically your official story book.
Also, if you ever decide to get the french citizenship or even move to France, it simplifies things.

Merci! I live in the Bay Area and will probably get married around here so I'll check out the consulate in San Francisco. Thanks again for the culture lesson. My fiance didn't know what I was talking about

For me, they just wanted to see it. I don't know if you've heard this yet, but it's a good idea to wait a couple weeks to get your SS card since it takes that long to get you in the systems, otherwise, you'll probably have to go back. You do have to send it away to change your passport, but you will get it back when they are finished. I had to send one with my passport, one to the state capital for the special seal, then that same one to the consulate, then two for AOS.

You can have your fiance check out the consulate website, it gives all information relating to doing "la publication des bans" and so forth. Lucky you, you live in the Bay Area, you can even go in person.

Just dropping by to say...J'adore France! I'm an American who has a lot of love for the country. Some of the nicest people I've ever met...I just wish most Americans (most of whom have never been) didn't have such a negative attitude towards the country.

Just thought I'd say it.

Lindsay

P.S. I've been twice...have spent time in Paris, Calais, Le Touquet, and Normandy.

Hi Ginger,

It is nice of you to drop by!
You are right about the comment regarding Americans not liking France. It is kind of stupid and immature.
When you ask them, what they don't like about the country? They just don't know.

Normandy is beautiful but a tad cold to my liking (even though I live in WA now lol).

Very nice to read this, I am french, and used to live 3 years in Normandy and almost all my childhood in Provence... I guess I was lucky because all the americans I met, seemed to like France and French Language and culture... but I know also about this cliches, I guess it's only because of uneducation and ignorance... We should tolerate everyone for being different, because it's how it makes this world more interesting.