Disclosing non-legal marriage in GC interview

[rick313 5]

Hello. My wife (Thai national) went through the K-1 visa process and now we are gearing up for our green card interview later this year. So far, everything has gone flawlessly.

Prior to coming to the United States, we had a religious ceremony with family and friends in Thailand. It was a big, formal event, but we were careful and kept it as a religious ceremony only with no official legal registration. After arriving in the U.S., we then did our official, legal marriage down at city hall. So we officially became married in the eyes of the law for the first time then.

Prior to this, we haven't officially disclosed any information at all to USCIS about our first ceremony back in Thailand. However, we have tons of pictures of the ceremony, which was packed with guests, so its obviously very solid evidence of our relationship.

My question is this: For the green card interview, how should we handle this? I'm leaning towards disclosing our first marriage ceremony in Thailand, and bringing all the photos to show them. I'm just wondering if for any reason this might not seem good to them since we hadn't previously disclosed this to them. Thanks in advance.

[Ning 619]

Hello. My wife (Thai national) went through the K-1 visa process and now we are gearing up for our green card interview later this year. So far, everything has gone flawlessly.

Prior to coming to the United States, we had a religious ceremony with family and friends in Thailand. It was a big, formal event, but we were careful and kept it as a religious ceremony only with no official legal registration. After arriving in the U.S., we then did our official, legal marriage down at city hall. So we officially became married in the eyes of the law for the first time then.

Prior to this, we haven't officially disclosed any information at all to USCIS about our first ceremony back in Thailand. However, we have tons of pictures of the ceremony, which was packed with guests, so its obviously very solid evidence of our relationship.

My question is this: For the green card interview, how should we handle this? I'm leaning towards disclosing our first marriage ceremony in Thailand, and bringing all the photos to show them. I'm just wondering if for any reason this might not seem good to them since we hadn't previously disclosed this to them. Thanks in advance.

You are preparing for something that doesnt need to be done. Married legally is all that matters. They dont care about your Thai wedding or even your U S experiance. A marrige certificate or licence will do fine. They are more interested in your on going relationship now than what you did in that time. Prepare to show them how you have intermingled your lives after entry.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hello. My wife (Thai national) went through the K-1 visa process and now we are gearing up for our green card interview later this year. So far, everything has gone flawlessly.

Prior to coming to the United States, we had a religious ceremony with family and friends in Thailand. It was a big, formal event, but we were careful and kept it as a religious ceremony only with no official legal registration. After arriving in the U.S., we then did our official, legal marriage down at city hall. So we officially became married in the eyes of the law for the first time then.

Prior to this, we haven't officially disclosed any information at all to USCIS about our first ceremony back in Thailand. However, we have tons of pictures of the ceremony, which was packed with guests, so its obviously very solid evidence of our relationship.

My question is this: For the green card interview, how should we handle this? I'm leaning towards disclosing our first marriage ceremony in Thailand, and bringing all the photos to show them. I'm just wondering if for any reason this might not seem good to them since we hadn't previously disclosed this to them. Thanks in advance.

Why would you want to disclose a potential red flag? Why would you risk that USCIS would misinterpret the Thai ceremony as a real marriage? You can rely on other events to show a real bona fide relationship. You don't need to give USCIS information that may hurt you (even if you think a really good explanation can be given).

[S_R 148]

Hello. My wife (Thai national) went through the K-1 visa process and now we are gearing up for our green card interview later this year. So far, everything has gone flawlessly.

Prior to coming to the United States, we had a religious ceremony with family and friends in Thailand. It was a big, formal event, but we were careful and kept it as a religious ceremony only with no official legal registration. After arriving in the U.S., we then did our official, legal marriage down at city hall. So we officially became married in the eyes of the law for the first time then.

Prior to this, we haven't officially disclosed any information at all to USCIS about our first ceremony back in Thailand. However, we have tons of pictures of the ceremony, which was packed with guests, so its obviously very solid evidence of our relationship.

My question is this: For the green card interview, how should we handle this? I'm leaning towards disclosing our first marriage ceremony in Thailand, and bringing all the photos to show them. I'm just wondering if for any reason this might not seem good to them since we hadn't previously disclosed this to them. Thanks in advance.

I am really shocked! Are you for real? You are leaning towards ...you better go back and refamiliarize yourself with the requirements for a k1. Stick to what aaron2020 has told you unless you need your petition denied. Wish you luck

[Daniel&Theary 30]

Do not make this harder then it has to be. If you do it that way They could look at it as fraud since you say you were married there but filed for a K1.

Think about it no need to do that.

[rick313 5]

Thanks for the responses. I think its correct not to mention the non-legal marriage. I was worried that it would indeed be considered a red flag, and I obviously don't want them to have any reason to deny her GC.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thanks for the responses. I think its correct not to mention the non-legal marriage. I was worried that it would indeed be considered a red flag, and I obviously don't want them to have any reason to deny her GC.

Bear in mind if you don't bring it up, and they find out about it (they do check FB and other such things) they will suspect you hid it because it WAS a legal marriage and in some countries church weddings are legal weddings so yeah...

You would be better off explaining you had wedding reception prior to leaving the country so her family could be there but that no legal wedding occurred. it's risky. If you don't tell them you're at risk they'll find it and accuse you of lying because it WAS legal and she'll get into trouble for entering on a visa she wasn't eligible for OR when you tell them about it they could think it was legal and you'll have the same issues.

Hindsight is 20/20 but had you come here to ask about it we would have told you NOT to have this ceremony before she left and instead after she had her AP or GC. It is just REALLY REALLY foolish to risk her status with things like this... A couple was denied a K1 visa because she posted photos of their engagement ceremony online and called the album "wedding". They had to re-apply for a CR-1 visa. If they determine you were legally married before entering on the K1 they will deny her AOS and deport her for entering on a fiance visa after she was married and you'll need to apply for a CR-1 visa and likely a waiver for her misrepresentation.