A courthouse marriage followed by 'wedding' 8 months later?

[ukcharlotte 4]

Good Afternoon

My fiance filed our I-129f just yesterday so we are at the very early stages of applying for a K-1 visa. I'd just like to touch base with some people in a similar situation or those that may be able to answer my questions!

My fiance and I are hoping to get married in the US within 3 months of the K-1 visa being issued but, because we do not know how long this process will take, have decided to plan for a courthouse marriage and then have a 'proper' wedding later. Logistically this works better for us as he is hoping to return to school in August and won't finish until May/June of 2013, so our theoretically timeframe looks like a marriage in September/October 2012 (assuming the K-1 has successfully been issued by then) and then to have our wedding in June/July 2013 time. Has anyone done a similar thing?

Also, assuming our marriage to be in September/October and us staying on top of all the paperwork, when will it be likely that I can start applying for work in the US? What is your experience with getting AOS and your greencard for work?

Thanks for reading!

Charlotte (British)

[Tim/Mav 305]

One Step at a time. Thats how the process works.

[spectec 12]

From what I have read here it is very common to have a courthouse wedding first so you can apply for AOS and EAD right away then have a formal wedding at a later date. At least the pressure is off and you can plan it the way you want. It's our intention to do it this way.

Good luck!

[Helen Louise Pile 80]

Good Afternoon

My fiance filed our I-129f just yesterday so we are at the very early stages of applying for a K-1 visa. I'd just like to touch base with some people in a similar situation or those that may be able to answer my questions!

My fiance and I are hoping to get married in the US within 3 months of the K-1 visa being issued but, because we do not know how long this process will take, have decided to plan for a courthouse marriage and then have a 'proper' wedding later. Logistically this works better for us as he is hoping to return to school in August and won't finish until May/June of 2013, so our theoretically timeframe looks like a marriage in September/October 2012 (assuming the K-1 has successfully been issued by then) and then to have our wedding in June/July 2013 time. Has anyone done a similar thing?

Also, assuming our marriage to be in September/October and us staying on top of all the paperwork, when will it be likely that I can start applying for work in the US? What is your experience with getting AOS and your greencard for work?

Thanks for reading!

Charlotte (British)

Many people do this.

We did the small wedding in our house within 90 days but we were happy with that so we don't plan to have another. We thought about it briefly though.

We waited for a couple of months after we were married to apply for the AOS. Once we applied for it it was approved in 6 weeks, expect around 3 months. Check how long it takes to get the marriage certificate in your state also, in Vermont you get it right away but I have heard that some states it can take a while. You need your marriage certificate before you can apply for AOS.

You can volunteer when you arrive and make connections so you have US references when you do apply for a job. This helped me get my first job in the US and gave me something to do while I waited

[spectec 12]

Many people do this.

We did the small wedding in our house within 90 days but we were happy with that so we don't plan to have another. We thought about it briefly though.

We waited for a couple of months after we were married to apply for the AOS. Once we applied for it it was approved in 6 weeks, expect around 3 months. Check how long it takes to get the marriage certificate in your state also, in Vermont you get it right away but I have heard that some states it can take a while. You need your marriage certificate before you can apply for AOS.

You can volunteer when you arrive and make connections so you have US references when you do apply for a job. This helped me get my first job in the US and gave me something to do while I waited

Good advice

[bigdog 376]

We did a Las Vegas wedding and had a reception for the masses at the ranch a month later. Your basic BBQ and beer. Have Fun, Just be sure to get married in the 90 days and file your AOS, it is more important than spending lots of money getting married. Save for a new home.

[Pitaya 2,576]

Many people do this.

We did the small wedding in our house within 90 days but we were happy with that so we don't plan to have another. We thought about it briefly though.

We waited for a couple of months after we were married to apply for the AOS. Once we applied for it it was approved in 6 weeks, expect around 3 months. Check how long it takes to get the marriage certificate in your state also, in Vermont you get it right away but I have heard that some states it can take a while. You need your marriage certificate before you can apply for AOS.

You can volunteer when you arrive and make connections so you have US references when you do apply for a job. This helped me get my first job in the US and gave me something to do while I waited

Those are generally our plans as well., not sure if at the house, or at the courthouse. Time will tell.

Good luck.

[EAbbas 213]

Even those of us who married overseas plan some sort of belated wedding reception for family and friends here in the states once the spouse arrives... so that they can also have some sort of celebration and be part of the couples new life together.

Good luck!

[Dan & Jenni 457]

Good Afternoon

My fiance filed our I-129f just yesterday so we are at the very early stages of applying for a K-1 visa. I'd just like to touch base with some people in a similar situation or those that may be able to answer my questions!

My fiance and I are hoping to get married in the US within 3 months of the K-1 visa being issued but, because we do not know how long this process will take, have decided to plan for a courthouse marriage and then have a 'proper' wedding later. Logistically this works better for us as he is hoping to return to school in August and won't finish until May/June of 2013, so our theoretically timeframe looks like a marriage in September/October 2012 (assuming the K-1 has successfully been issued by then) and then to have our wedding in June/July 2013 time. Has anyone done a similar thing?

Also, assuming our marriage to be in September/October and us staying on top of all the paperwork, when will it be likely that I can start applying for work in the US? What is your experience with getting AOS and your greencard for work?

Thanks for reading!

Charlotte (British)

this is what most K-1ers do from what i have seen but so long as you marry within 90 days of entering the US then do what works best for you.

the sooner you marry the sooner you can apply for AOS. EAD (employment authorisation), and AP (advanced parole for travel outside of US). EAD and AP take about 3 month and AOS about 6-12 month right now.... so you are looking at 3 month after applying before you can work.

good luck

[craig_b1990 1]

This is the same plan that my girlfriend and i have, i cannot and havent seen any problems with it. Only difference is we wont be sending our first forms off for another 6months yet. Good luck!

[photomile 101]

As far as I know this is what we are planning as well

[GnBnL 50]

This is the same plan that my girlfriend and i have, i cannot and havent seen any problems with it. Only difference is we wont be sending our first forms off for another 6months yet. Good luck!

Just curious what the reason is for waiting to send them? K-1 is valid for 6 months once it's issued, so if that was a concern for you, I would file asap because it can take awhile, but if you have other reasons, carry on!

[GnBnL 50]

lots of K-1's do it this way and I think its best because then you don't have to worry about moving your actual wedding date if there are hold ups. Ideally, you should marry asap and file for AOS asap to reduce the amount of time you'll be unemployed. I thought it would take 6 weeks, and Its almost taken 3 months now. Good luck, and congrats!

[sabi 148]

You can volunteer when you arrive and make connections so you have US references when you do apply for a job. This helped me get my first job in the US and gave me something to do while I waited

In regards with volunteering, do you need a social security number to do so? That's my plan to, I am going to be volunteering in the same hospital my fiance is, hoping to make some friends and get an experience

[sabi 148]

Good Afternoon

My fiance filed our I-129f just yesterday so we are at the very early stages of applying for a K-1 visa. I'd just like to touch base with some people in a similar situation or those that may be able to answer my questions!

My fiance and I are hoping to get married in the US within 3 months of the K-1 visa being issued but, because we do not know how long this process will take, have decided to plan for a courthouse marriage and then have a 'proper' wedding later. Logistically this works better for us as he is hoping to return to school in August and won't finish until May/June of 2013, so our theoretically timeframe looks like a marriage in September/October 2012 (assuming the K-1 has successfully been issued by then) and then to have our wedding in June/July 2013 time. Has anyone done a similar thing?

Also, assuming our marriage to be in September/October and us staying on top of all the paperwork, when will it be likely that I can start applying for work in the US? What is your experience with getting AOS and your greencard for work?

Thanks for reading!

Charlotte (British)

We are planning exactly same thing. Sending the petition this Tuesday so hopefully we are approved around same time We are hoping then to get married and plan our wedding reception in 2013 after we are done with all the paper work