Marriage Party Before Entering the US

[Joe in Jersey 0]

I was reading the story about immigration news on the home page and it got me a little worried.

http://www.visajourney.com/news/2009/02/04...-at-the-border/

Since my finacee is in Thailand, after she gets her K-1 visa I was planning on going to Thailand to pick her up. And rather than both of us go back later (maybe a year or more after already being married) and getting married for her family I thought it would be a better idea to have a wedding cermony in Thailand first (therefore saving a round trip ticket's worth of airfare for her).

It would just be a cermony for her family and friends, and we would not be signing any legal paperwork saying that we are married. Would this in anyway consititute a legal marriage that would prevent her from being able to enter the US?

Any comments?

Thanks.

[Sinergy 3]

nope...as long as it is just a ceremony with no legal documents involved, and nothing is signed...then its only a ceremony and not a wedding.

[Thai family 0]

I think you'll be fine. It is well known in Thailand that it's not a legal marriage until registered with the Amphur. I have never heard of someone being denied for this in Thailand; in some other countries, yes. The laws very from country to country as to what constitutes a legal marriage. The US recognizes legal marriages from other countries.

From what I am learning about Thai culture from my DIL, your plan is good. They haven't had a ceremony in Thailand yet and she is worried about getting pregnant before then, as that would be disgraceful, even though they are legally married.

Thai Mom

[Hell0W0rld 10]

you can marry, just make sure it's not legal and you don't sign any papers confirming the marriage.