Almost approved K1 - can get married outside US?

[RBAL_TN 0]

We are almost approved for the K1 visa, and originally intended on getting married once she lands here. But we've thought more about 'eloping' per se and getting married somewhere tropical.

Is it an absolute requirement that the marriage take place on US soil? Lots of nice places in the Caribbean we could hop to for a weekend if we could. As an alternative, we might consider jumping over to Hawaii for a week as well, provided the K1 visa would allow it.

Thoughts?

[canadian_wife 1,795]

The K1 is a single entry visa. She cannot use it to re-enter the US and entering as a tourist to adjust status is against the law.

Good luck.

[Dakine 26]

We are almost approved for the K1 visa, and originally intended on getting married once she lands here. But we've thought more about 'eloping' per se and getting married somewhere tropical.

Is it an absolute requirement that the marriage take place on US soil? Lots of nice places in the Caribbean we could hop to for a weekend if we could. As an alternative, we might consider jumping over to Hawaii for a week as well, provided the K1 visa would allow it.

Thoughts?

Hawaii is part of the US. No problem being married there/here.

[payxibka 10,044]

We are almost approved for the K1 visa, and originally intended on getting married once she lands here. But we've thought more about 'eloping' per se and getting married somewhere tropical.

Is it an absolute requirement that the marriage take place on US soil? Lots of nice places in the Caribbean we could hop to for a weekend if we could. As an alternative, we might consider jumping over to Hawaii for a week as well, provided the K1 visa would allow it.

Thoughts?

Absolute

PS Hawaii is the USA

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

We are almost approved for the K1 visa, and originally intended on getting married once she lands here. But we've thought more about 'eloping' per se and getting married somewhere tropical.

Is it an absolute requirement that the marriage take place on US soil? Lots of nice places in the Caribbean we could hop to for a weekend if we could. As an alternative, we might consider jumping over to Hawaii for a week as well, provided the K1 visa would allow it.

Thoughts?

If you get married anywhere before the K-1 visa is apporived and she arrives in the US, you will have to re-apply for a K-3 visa and wait longer. Yes, you can travel to Hawaii once she arrives here.

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

Hawaii would be allowed (though look into it first- they may have a residency requirement or something before you can get married there!). For the Carribean, you cannot get legally married there, but you could do a quick courthouse wedding in the US when your fiancee arrives, then do a ceremony/ honeymoon there once AP has been received.

[Rainschild 0]

We are almost approved for the K1 visa, and originally intended on getting married once she lands here. But we've thought more about 'eloping' per se and getting married somewhere tropical.

Is it an absolute requirement that the marriage take place on US soil? Lots of nice places in the Caribbean we could hop to for a weekend if we could. As an alternative, we might consider jumping over to Hawaii for a week as well, provided the K1 visa would allow it.

Thoughts?

Since K-1 is a one entry visa, you guys need to be married in the States. Consider Hawaii since it is one of the states and you both can fly there since it is considered a domestic flight.

[Brit Abroad 166]

Hawaii would be allowed (though look into it first- they may have a residency requirement or something before you can get married there!).

Nope, you and your fiance(e) simply have to turn up at the Department of Health building in person, with the fee and identification (usually passports) and queue for your marriage licence. That's it.

You can apply for a marriage license on Oahu at the Department of Health Building, 1250 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu. For information, call (808) 586-4545.

It's a really easy process - normally there's an admin floating around with a clipboard and the forms you need to fill in. Make sure you go prepared with your parents full names and places of birth (form requires this information). Take a number off the interview door and wait your turn. Unless you pick a really busy time, you're usually in and out within 15 minutes.

The only other point to note is that the license is submitted to the DoH by the minister/celebrant/registrar after the ceremony. If you want to get your AoS started quickly, then you will need to ask them if you can take it down to DoH in person to speed that process up, as the marriage certificate itself will normally take 10-14 days from the date of receipt back at DoH.

Hawaii is a beautiful place for a wedding - just allow plenty of time for traffic on the way to the ceremony!

Edited April 10, 2009 by Brit Abroad

[Brit Abroad 166]

PS The only other recommendation for a Hawaii wedding is that you complete the form (with check) for certified copies of your marriage certificate, while you are still on the island. This should make it easier, and you'll need a few spares in case you want to change fiance(e)'s details back home or here in the States.

[Emily and Gareth 0]

Hi,

Me and my Fiance had also planned to do the same thing when we get our application approved....The thought of getting married in Hawaii sounds amazing! I have a question though....Do you have to have a witness present or do the people at the office act as a witness?

Thanks in advance

[baron555 934]

I do believe she can not leave the US until she has her AP in hand.

You file for this and get this after being legally married.

I would just cut to the quick and run over to your local county courthouse and become legally married.

Then you can file for AOS, EAD, and the AP. Once she gets the AP, you can go anywhere in the world and have the most beautiful ceremony you can imagine (and pay for)!!!

For me, what's more important, having some romantic ceremony, or doing whatever you can as quickly as you can so you two can be together forever.

[payxibka 10,044]

Hi,

Me and my Fiance had also planned to do the same thing when we get our application approved....The thought of getting married in Hawaii sounds amazing! I have a question though....Do you have to have a witness present or do the people at the office act as a witness?

Thanks in advance

witness requirement is state law dependent... check the local regs and see what they require

[ThaitoUSA 15]

The US Virgin Islands are also an option. We are getting married there this summer.

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

If you go to the virgin islands make sure you travel plans don't take in any non us stops. No changing plans on other islands. They get really fussy about that at times.

[Jinhouzi 0]

I know this might sound like I (we) are rushing into getting married, but as of May 1st we have known each other for 1 year and by the time she gets her VISA (we hope) it will almost be 2 years so we toyed with the idea of flying right into Las Vegas from China and getting married at one of the many chapels on the strip. Then spend a couple days there before continuing on to home to Michigan.