Adjustment of Status NEEDS marriage Certificate?!?!?!?!

[JON&ERIN 0]

Hello, I hope someone can help me out here.

I am in the process of obtaining my K1 Visa. I arrive IN the US August 16th 2011 (if all goes to plan) Married to my US citizen Fiancee Sept 10th in Hawaii.

My problem is-once we return from our Honeymoon and apply for AOS it requires a certified copy of our marriage certificate. Now this can take anything from 60days to 120 days to process!!!!

Can I still apply for my AOS?

Thank You

[frabra 3]

it depends on state and county, our took just days.. but just pay attention on where you will go and spend your honeymoon before you file for aos. good luck on your journey

[Messybrownhair 251]

Yes, the certified marriage certificate is one of the most important documents needed to adjust status.

Is there a way to have it expedited? That is a looooong wait. I picked up my marriage certificate on the spot, but that was in the state of VT.

If not, then just use the time that you are waiting for it to prepare everything else needed on your AOS packet, and send it right away when it does arrive

[JON&ERIN 0]

We will live in Maryland where my Fiancee/future wife has an apartment and are Married in Hawaii. Guess Il have to do some more research into gettin it quicker. Im sure im not the first person in this situation and the USCIS must have a solution for this.....................I HOPE

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

We will live in Maryland where my Fiancee/future wife has an apartment and are Married in Hawaii. Guess Il have to do some more research into gettin it quicker. Im sure im not the first person in this situation and the USCIS must have a solution for this.....................I HOPE

After you are married, and the license is filed with the court in Hawaii, try using this online ordering system: https://www.ehawaii.gov/doh/vitrec/exe/vitrec.cgi

You can also apply in person or by mail: http://hawaii.gov/health/vital-records/vital-records/vital_records.html

[TBoneTX 43,058]

I explained our immigration situation to the Justice of the Peace who married us, and I asked if we could hand-carry the signed marriage license to the courthouse ourselves. He readily agreed. After the ceremony, we beat it down to the county courthouse and ordered 7 marriage certificates. The clerk had never had a request for so many, but she prepared them without complaint ($7 each). After giving souvenir copies to our respective mothers, sending one in the AOS package, giving one to the bank to prove that the wife could be on a joint account, surrendering one for some other reason, and keeping one for the wife to carry on her person at all times (this can pay off massively in many circumstances), we have one left, si man.

[Messybrownhair 251]

I explained our immigration situation to the Justice of the Peace who married us, and I asked if we could hand-carry the signed marriage license to the courthouse ourselves. He readily agreed. After the ceremony, we beat it down to the county courthouse and ordered 7 marriage certificates. The clerk had never had a request for so many, but she prepared them without complaint ($7 each). After giving souvenir copies to our respective mothers, sending one in the AOS package, giving one to the bank to prove that the wife could be on a joint account, surrendering one for some other reason, and keeping one for the wife to carry on her person at all times (this can pay off massively in many circumstances), we have one left, si man.

This is what we did too! And we asked for 5 and it was $10 each..

[Otto 83]

We (also) took our (signed) marriage license to the county clerk's office and had it recorded ourselves. Walked out with our marriage certificate a few minutes later. Otherwise it would have taken a couple of weeks (or so) for it to filter through the system.

May be state/county dependent - ask the marrying official.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

We got married at the county clerk's office, so we walked out with a certified copy of our marriage certificate.

[CBM 14]

We also got married at the county clerk's office (in LA), but the woman wasn't having any of it when I asked if we could get a copy the same day. We were told the wait would be 4 - 6 weeks, but it only took about 3 weeks. I know it sucks waiting and feeling like you're wasting time, but just get everything else ready for AOS & send it when the marriage certificate arrives.

Good luck

ETA: We also ordered 5 copies (at $14 each!!) and got a strange look.

Edited June 8, 2011 by CBM

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hello, I hope someone can help me out here.

I am in the process of obtaining my K1 Visa. I arrive IN the US August 16th 2011 (if all goes to plan) Married to my US citizen Fiancee Sept 10th in Hawaii.

My problem is-once we return from our Honeymoon and apply for AOS it requires a certified copy of our marriage certificate. Now this can take anything from 60days to 120 days to process!!!!

Can I still apply for my AOS?

You don't need to file AOS in the 90 days. You can file it later so don't stress about that.

AOS doesn't require a certified copy of your marriage certificate, it needs a photocopy of your marriage certificate (the official one, not the church one). So yes I suppose you do need the certified one but only need a photocopy of it for AOS.

I would find out if there's anyway to expedite getting the certificate though. Filing AOS sooner is always better than later.

[JON&ERIN 0]

Thanks everyone..... I have another question!!SORRY!

With the affidavit of support-if my fiancee completes one now for the interview at the US Embassy in London do we still need to do another one when I adjust my status after marriage?

Also when you have to state household size for the poverty guidelines is it including me or only those dependants living with my fiancee now like kids etc?

Thanks again!

Jon

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

Thanks everyone..... I have another question!!SORRY!

With the affidavit of support-if my fiancee completes one now for the interview at the US Embassy in London do we still need to do another one when I adjust my status after marriage?

Also when you have to state household size for the poverty guidelines is it including me or only those dependants living with my fiancee now like kids etc?

Thanks again!

Jon

For the visa application/interview, you will need the I-134 affidavit of support. When you file for AOS, you will need the I-864 affidavit of support.

For the household size, it is the sponsor/petitioner and any dependents they have, plus the beneficiary/immigrant.