Marrying First Cousin

[JKD_88 0]

I am marrying my first cousin, who is from Brazil. Please no rude comments, it really isn't a big deal at all to marry your first cousin. In my state it's perfectly legal to marry your first cousin and my lawyer didn't mention anything as far as denial goes so I was just wondering...do any of you think that us being first cousins will be a reason for us to be denied? I really hope not.

Thank you

[Flames9_RN 358]

I have no hard evidence, but not all States allow it:

http://marriage.about.com/cs/marriagelicenses/a/cousin.htm

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/cousins.htm

[anitacastillo 0]

I suggest you both be prepared to explain/show how this is a true relationship and not a family effort to get her a US visa.

[Jenn! 918]

If it is legal in your state, then I don't believe that it will be a problem in terms of eligibility. However, you may be scrutinized more closely at the consulate during the interview - they'll want to verify that you're not pretending to be in a relationship with your cousin so that she can immigrate. Make sure you have plenty of evidence of a bona fide relationship.

[JKD_88 0]

I suggest you both be prepared to explain/show how this is a true relationship and not a family effort to get her a US visa.

What kind of proof can we show, we've done everything my lawyer has suggested, sent photos, I've visited her on a number of occasions, what more can we do?

[Jenn! 918]

I suggest you both be prepared to explain/show how this is a true relationship and not a family effort to get her a US visa.

What kind of proof can we show, we've done everything my lawyer has suggested, sent photos, I've visited her on a number of occasions, what more can we do?

Does your evidence make it clear that you are more than just cousins? A lot of people make visits to family and take pictures with them. It doesn't mean they are in a romantic relationship.

[JKD_88 0]

I suggest you both be prepared to explain/show how this is a true relationship and not a family effort to get her a US visa.

What kind of proof can we show, we've done everything my lawyer has suggested, sent photos, I've visited her on a number of occasions, what more can we do?

Does your evidence make it clear that you are more than just cousins? A lot of people make visits to family and take pictures with them. It doesn't mean they are in a romantic relationship.

we have pictures of us kissing but other than that, how can we prove our relationship through pictures?

[Alt name 1]

Badly wants Charles and Nessa's popcorn icon for this one

[Jenn! 918]

Badly wants Charles and Nessa's popcorn icon for this one

Everyone has access to that icon. It's in the VJ smiley list.

I suggest you both be prepared to explain/show how this is a true relationship and not a family effort to get her a US visa.

What kind of proof can we show, we've done everything my lawyer has suggested, sent photos, I've visited her on a number of occasions, what more can we do?

Does your evidence make it clear that you are more than just cousins? A lot of people make visits to family and take pictures with them. It doesn't mean they are in a romantic relationship.

we have pictures of us kissing but other than that, how can we prove our relationship through pictures?

You can and should have other evidence besides pictures - letters, chat transcripts, phone records, etc.

[JKD_88 0]

Badly wants Charles and Nessa's popcorn icon for this one

Everyone has access to that icon. It's in the VJ smiley list.

I suggest you both be prepared to explain/show how this is a true relationship and not a family effort to get her a US visa.

What kind of proof can we show, we've done everything my lawyer has suggested, sent photos, I've visited her on a number of occasions, what more can we do?

Does your evidence make it clear that you are more than just cousins? A lot of people make visits to family and take pictures with them. It doesn't mean they are in a romantic relationship.

we have pictures of us kissing but other than that, how can we prove our relationship through pictures?

You can and should have other evidence besides pictures - letters, chat transcripts, phone records, etc.

Yeah I sent all that to my lawyer, I sent some e-mails and some of our conversations through MSN messenger

[LaL 418]

Badly wants Charles and Nessa's popcorn icon for this one

Take your popcorn back to Off Topic. This member has a concern and we would do best to answer the legitimate immigration questions asked vs trying to turn it into something else. Thank you.

[Alt name 1]

It was a joke

Badly wants Charles and Nessa's popcorn icon for this one

Everyone has access to that icon. It's in the VJ smiley list.

I suggest you both be prepared to explain/show how this is a true relationship and not a family effort to get her a US visa.

What kind of proof can we show, we've done everything my lawyer has suggested, sent photos, I've visited her on a number of occasions, what more can we do?

Does your evidence make it clear that you are more than just cousins? A lot of people make visits to family and take pictures with them. It doesn't mean they are in a romantic relationship.

we have pictures of us kissing but other than that, how can we prove our relationship through pictures?

You can and should have other evidence besides pictures - letters, chat transcripts, phone records, etc.

[Jenn! 918]

Badly wants Charles and Nessa's popcorn icon for this one

Everyone has access to that icon. It's in the VJ smiley list.

I suggest you both be prepared to explain/show how this is a true relationship and not a family effort to get her a US visa.

What kind of proof can we show, we've done everything my lawyer has suggested, sent photos, I've visited her on a number of occasions, what more can we do?

Does your evidence make it clear that you are more than just cousins? A lot of people make visits to family and take pictures with them. It doesn't mean they are in a romantic relationship.

we have pictures of us kissing but other than that, how can we prove our relationship through pictures?

You can and should have other evidence besides pictures - letters, chat transcripts, phone records, etc.

Yeah I sent all that to my lawyer, I sent some e-mails and some of our conversations through MSN messenger

All of the evidence of a bona fide relationship does not need to be sent with the petition. Your lawyer should know this. All they are concerned about at this level is whether you are both eligible to marry and you have met within the past two years. Once USCIS approves the petition and you are at the interview stage - that is when you need to show evidence of a relationship. Your fiancee will have to bring all of the evidence to the consulate for the interview. It sounds like you have the evidence you need, just make sure your fiancee is prepared for additional scrutiny because you are cousins.

[Emo 0]

I am marrying my first cousin, who is from Brazil. Please no rude comments, it really isn't a big deal at all to marry your first cousin. In my state it's perfectly legal to marry your first cousin and my lawyer didn't mention anything as far as denial goes so I was just wondering...do any of you think that us being first cousins will be a reason for us to be denied? I really hope not.

Thank you

How USCIS will know that she is your first cousin?

[pushbrk 12,085]

I am marrying my first cousin, who is from Brazil. Please no rude comments, it really isn't a big deal at all to marry your first cousin. In my state it's perfectly legal to marry your first cousin and my lawyer didn't mention anything as far as denial goes so I was just wondering...do any of you think that us being first cousins will be a reason for us to be denied? I really hope not.

Thank you

No problem. You must both be free to marry in the jurisdiction you plan to marry. Laws of other States are of no consequence in this matter. You might face some additional scrutiny of bona fides at the interview, so be prepared.

Edited January 1, 2008 by pushbrk