Where to marry?

[yuna628 9,528]

A passport and your visa can be used in lieu of an SSN, in general you should be able to speak to the clerk about it (yes some may not be up on things, be not polite, or simply aren't aware, or perhaps are not deserving of your business  ). And it could be different on a county by county level. Surely the state of SC has heard of 'destination' weddings before. I'd imagine Myrtle Beach would be popular for Oceanside weddings....

 

But K1's are eligible for an SSN asap, which I'd recommend doing before marriage anyway.

 

This is from the Charleston, SC probate court marriage division: says not much about SSNs (and mentions what to do if you don't have one) https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/probate/marriage-license.php

[Scandi 3,970]

Call around and make absokut sure that a SSN is really a requirement. I have heard this statement before, "can't marry because we need an SSN", which proved to be wrong in the end. Most places require the SSN if the person already has one, not to those who never had one.

[TNJ17 1,329]

That is not a restriction. Anyone can marry as long as they have proof of ID. You don’t need a SSN to get married. I do suggest you get an SSN as soon as you arrive just because you will need an SSN for basically everything including health insurance and if you wait for USCIS to issue you one you’ll be waiting a really long time. You’re eligible for an SSN as soon as you are admitted into the country and you can apply for one as early as the same day you arrive. 

[Diane and Chris 651]

5 hours ago, Todd L F said:

Hello all,

 

I am near the end of this daunting process and planning on traveling to the states next month after my interview which is in 2 weeks. Me and my fiancé are expecting a baby in late September so this basically put our big wedding plans aside so we agreed to just do something small at a reception so we are legally married and to have a large wedding a few years down the road. Now my problem is this, we will be living in South Carolina and it seems the laws there about marrying foreign nationals are very strict. They need social security number of both participants and of course I will not have this just yet. Does anyone have any experience with this? Or know of a state close to SC where we can marry. Not had much luck with researching online beleive it or not. 

 

Thank you! 

You can get your social security card in Franklin NC. They are easy to work with. Ask for Chris. Very nice, helpful, and professional. Good luck!  

[Redheadguy03 505]

1 hour ago, TNJ17 said:

That is not a restriction. Anyone can marry as long as they have proof of ID. You don’t need a SSN to get married. I do suggest you get an SSN as soon as you arrive just because you will need an SSN for basically everything including health insurance and if you wait for USCIS to issue you one you’ll be waiting a really long time. You’re eligible for an SSN as soon as you are admitted into the country and you can apply for one as early as the same day you arrive. 

SSN isn't required for health insurance. Companies try to enforce that, but it's not a law. It's HR not knowing how to handle people not having them. 

[Chris Duffy 1,256]

8 hours ago, Todd L F said:

Hello all,

 

I am near the end of this daunting process and planning on traveling to the states next month after my interview which is in 2 weeks. Me and my fiancé are expecting a baby in late September so this basically put our big wedding plans aside so we agreed to just do something small at a reception so we are legally married and to have a large wedding a few years down the road. Now my problem is this, we will be living in South Carolina and it seems the laws there about marrying foreign nationals are very strict. They need social security number of both participants and of course I will not have this just yet. Does anyone have any experience with this? Or know of a state close to SC where we can marry. Not had much luck with researching online beleive it or not. 

 

Thank you! 

Per Charleston SC, I assume they are a big city there: No SSN needed

 

https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/probate/marriage-license.php

 

[Todd L F 49]

1 hour ago, Chris Duffy said:

Per Charleston SC, I assume they are a big city there: No SSN needed

 

https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/probate/marriage-license.php

 

Interesting as I will actually be living in Charleston , I’ve heard they don’t accept foreign weddings. Thank you 

[sparkles_ 456]

12 hours ago, Todd L F said:

Hello all,

 

I am near the end of this daunting process and planning on traveling to the states next month after my interview which is in 2 weeks. Me and my fiancé are expecting a baby in late September so this basically put our big wedding plans aside so we agreed to just do something small at a reception so we are legally married and to have a large wedding a few years down the road. Now my problem is this, we will be living in South Carolina and it seems the laws there about marrying foreign nationals are very strict. They need social security number of both participants and of course I will not have this just yet. Does anyone have any experience with this? Or know of a state close to SC where we can marry. Not had much luck with researching online beleive it or not. 

 

Thank you! 

NC! I've been married twice here, both did not have SSNs at the time. They were told to fill in with all zeroes and show their passport. Married in Greensboro. Fairly sure you could make a border run to up to Charlotte and get the same results

Edited June 10, 2018 by sparkles_

[yuna628 9,528]

3 hours ago, Todd L F said:

Interesting as I will actually be living in Charleston , I’ve heard they don’t accept foreign weddings. Thank you 

Where did you hear they will not accept 'foreign weddings'? Tbh this would be very illegal and very much cause them to be sued. No doubt you can find bigots and all sorts, but if you should ever encounter one, they are not worthy of your business.

 

The only other thing I can find is that the State requires both parties are lawfully present (which the government grants you with your visa). Marriage is in the domain of the state, so unless there is a state law specifically prohibiting a foreign national, it all comes down to county by county. And if one county won't serve you for some reason, there will be plenty of others. Looking at the State Law marriage code? There's nothing that says that foreign nationals cannot marry (kind of implies any county that would deny  is spitting state law), only that they should be lawfully present and produce a number proving that, should they not have an SSN. You will be lawfully present, as you have a K1 visa in your passport giving you legally issued identification and an A# number.

 

Whether you choose to provide an SSN to them or not will be up to you.

[Todd L F 49]

4 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

Where did you hear they will not accept 'foreign weddings'? Tbh this would be very illegal and very much cause them to be sued. No doubt you can find bigots and all sorts, but if you should ever encounter one, they are not worthy of your business.

 

The only other thing I can find is that the State requires both parties are lawfully present (which the government grants you with your visa). Marriage is in the domain of the state, so unless there is a state law specifically prohibiting a foreign national, it all comes down to county by county. And if one county won't serve you for some reason, there will be plenty of others. Looking at the State Law marriage code? There's nothing that says that foreign nationals cannot marry (kind of implies any county that would deny  is spitting state law), only that they should be lawfully present and produce a number proving that, should they not have an SSN. You will be lawfully present, as you have a K1 visa in your passport giving you legally issued identification and an A# number.

 

Whether you choose to provide an SSN to them or not will be up to you.

Yeah Ive just been reading the code too, so looks like we can actually get married here. I was told that we couldn’t by someone else, so I guess I’ll have to do more research before trusting others advise lol. Just curious, where will I find my A# and when will I get it?

 

Thank you to everyone for your help on this matter.

[TNJ17 1,329]

Requiring SSN for marriage is a myth. A lot of people seem to think they do. They ask if you have it and if you do you write the number down but if you don’t have it you don’t. Lots of foreign tourists get married in all states of the United States every day and tourists aren’t eligible for SSN. You just say you don’t have it because you’re not a resident. That’s it. End of story. 

[payxibka 10,044]

SSN is not required otherwise destination weddings by foreigners could not happen

[sparkles_ 456]

4 hours ago, Todd L F said:

Yeah Ive just been reading the code too, so looks like we can actually get married here. I was told that we couldn’t by someone else, so I guess I’ll have to do more research before trusting others advise lol. Just curious, where will I find my A# and when will I get it?

 

Thank you to everyone for your help on this matter.

A# should be on your first NOA you will get after filing the i485. I don't recall exactly where, but it is roundabouts the upper, left part of the notice along with name/DOB/receipt number. It is probably on your k1 NOA2 if you kept that, it also may be already written on your i94 from POE, but that isn't always done.

Edited June 10, 2018 by sparkles_

[JoannaV 173]

17 hours ago, Todd L F said:

 Just curious, where will I find my A# and when will I get it?

Should be on the visa in your passport.