US Marriage - Does it have to be in the 50 states?

[lhamilt 0]

Hi Everyone,

As my fiance and I are preparing to submit our initial K1 forms, we are thinking about where we'd like to get married. He's in Germany, and I'm in Wisconsin. I would REALLY like to have a destination wedding b/c there's no way we're going to find a location that will work for all our friends and family spread across the US, UK, and Austrailia.

My question is - does the marriage have to take place in the 50 states, or can it be done in a US territory, like the US Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, St. Croix etc?

Lydia

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

If you have to pass through immigration when you return your fiance will probaly be refused entry and told to return to his home ocuntry and you will have to start a k3/cr1 and wait everything out all over again . Personally I wouldn't want to risk it .

[Meridien 0]

Hawaii might be a nice place for a destination wedding... I've read elsewhere on these forums that Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands can be done as well, as long as you don't pass through any non-US territory on the way there or back. Of course, I'm no expert, you'll want to look into it further before you book any tickets!

[william_wallace 8]

However much it sucks, were in the same situation. Were just going to get married in the States. Its not worth the risk or hassle.

[Gaby&Talbert 1]

You shouldn't have to pass through customs if it is a US territory but it would be worth verifying will USCIS to make sure there wouldn't be any problems. If I were you I would contact CBP or ICE and not USCIS because USCIS doesn't always give good information. ICE and CBP officers are the enforcement people and will know more than the info line at USCIS.

[djaedi 0]

Man I wouldn't chance it. We are planning a quick JP wedding to get the paperwork started, then apply for Travel Documents for her then get married in Jamaica in the summer where her family can fly to meet us. Sucks to do it this way but its the right way to do it. Good luck.

[pushbrk 14,017]

Hi Everyone,

As my fiance and I are preparing to submit our initial K1 forms, we are thinking about where we'd like to get married. He's in Germany, and I'm in Wisconsin. I would REALLY like to have a destination wedding b/c there's no way we're going to find a location that will work for all our friends and family spread across the US, UK, and Austrailia.

My question is - does the marriage have to take place in the 50 states, or can it be done in a US territory, like the US Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, St. Croix etc?

Lydia

Think this through. If a USC petitioner lives in a US Territory, their fiance(e) would generally travel to that territory, clear the POE to activate the visa and then get married. A petitioner living in Guam, is not required to travel to the mainland or Hawaii to with their fiance(e) to get married.

So, as long as none of the travel causes the K1 visa holder to exit the USA or its territories after entering, no problem. Domestic flights are not a problem but you must make certain any flight after entry is 100% domestic; that no POE will come into play.

[payxibka 10,048]

So, as long as none of the travel causes the K1 visa holder to exit the USA or its territories after entering, no problem. Domestic flights are not a problem but you must make certain any flight after entry is 100% domestic; that no POE will come into play.

A flight is either 100% domestic or 100% not domestic... there cannot ever be a mix of passengers on a flight, some who need inspection and others who do not need inspection.