Religious wedding before legal wedding?

[anya-D 8]

I dunno about other AOS interviews, but we were not asked to show ANY photos. Not a single one was asked for. I toted a bunch of them along, and my husband was annoyed that she didnt ask for any, so we showed her some pics of our dogs, cuz she had pics of her dogs on her desk. By that point tho, I'd already been stamped and congratulated.

IMO, there really is no need to confuse the matter by showing them photos of 2 separate ceremonies, when in all likelihood, none are needed.

There have been cases of people denied because a conoff figures they're already married, because photo evidence of engagement parties have been shown. If there's any frilly dresses or flowers involved, they think wedding.

Reba,

You and I might have the same person for the interview!! She has a picture of her pug and all we talked about is our dogs.. didnt asked for any pictures but I show one to her anyway and she asked me 2 questions.. how did we meet and when was our marriage date.

[expatrica 0]

John & Annie,

Expatrica,

I think our situation is a little different than John and Annie's -

How are you going to prove that the ceremony you had in your home country was not legally binding? What information can you provide?

The ceremony we had on July 23, 2006 was here in the states. We were not trying to scam anyone. We had planned the whole thing and had many guests coming from overseas. Due to IMBRA, L's visa was denied and it was too late to cancel everything. The officiant called it a committment ceremony because by law, that's what it was. There was no marriage license and we were not married on that day.

Our marriage license clearly states that we declared our intention to be married and were married on October 13, 2006. Only myself, L, and my parents were there.

Think about the possible consequences of showing photos from two wedding ceremonies to the adjudicator at the AOS interview. What is s/he going to think about the first set of photos?

We have over 200 pictures from our ceremony in July but less then 10 from our marriage two weeks ago. I am concerned that only bringing the 7 pictures would see more suspicious then bringing both sets. In the event they do ask for pictures and we showed only the ones from Oct 13th, I'm afraid they'd ask why non of L's family were there or why we didn't have more. I would show just pics from the July ceremony but I think it's clear from them that it was a summer event. I really don't know what to do!

If someone showed me photos from two wedding ceremonies, I would wonder which one conferred a legal marriage. And, considering the requirements of the K-1 visa, I'd wonder if the ceremony in the home country actually conferred legal status.

Both took place here in the states and it is very clear from the marriage license that we were wed on October 13th, 2006.

Regardless, I'd probably ask the couple to produce some evidence to the contrary. If the couple could not produce the evidence, I would deny their AOS application on the grounds that they were legally married prior to entry into the United States. I would send the immigrant back to his/her home country to file for a marriage-based visa.

-Z

P.S. It's fine that you had a non-legal ceremony. The problem is proving that you didn't get married in that non-legal ceremony. It's best to play it safe and only show photos from your wedding in the United States. That way, there is no possibility for confusion unless you actually tell the adjudicator about the other wedding in your home country.

Either way, post the outcome, whatever decision you make.

John & Annie,

Expatrica,

I think our situation is a little different than John and Annie's -

How are you going to prove that the ceremony you had in your home country was not legally binding? What information can you provide?

The ceremony we had on July 23, 2006 was here in the states. We were not trying to scam anyone. We had planned the whole thing and had many guests coming from overseas. Due to IMBRA, L's visa was denied and it was too late to cancel everything.

Meant to type "delayed" not "denied."

The officiant called it a committment ceremony because by law, that's what it was. There was no marriage license and we were not married on that day.

Our marriage license clearly states that we declared our intention to be married and were married on October 13, 2006. Only myself, L, and my parents were there.

Think about the possible consequences of showing photos from two wedding ceremonies to the adjudicator at the AOS interview. What is s/he going to think about the first set of photos?

We have over 200 pictures from our ceremony in July but less then 10 from our marriage two weeks ago. I am concerned that only bringing the 7 pictures would see more suspicious then bringing both sets. In the event they do ask for pictures and we showed only the ones from Oct 13th, I'm afraid they'd ask why non of L's family were there or why we didn't have more. I would show just pics from the July ceremony but I think it's clear from them that it was a summer event. I really don't know what to do!

If someone showed me photos from two wedding ceremonies, I would wonder which one conferred a legal marriage. And, considering the requirements of the K-1 visa, I'd wonder if the ceremony in the home country actually conferred legal status.

Both took place here in the states and it is very clear from the marriage license that we were wed on October 13th, 2006.

Regardless, I'd probably ask the couple to produce some evidence to the contrary. If the couple could not produce the evidence, I would deny their AOS application on the grounds that they were legally married prior to entry into the United States. I would send the immigrant back to his/her home country to file for a marriage-based visa.

-Z

P.S. It's fine that you had a non-legal ceremony. The problem is proving that you didn't get married in that non-legal ceremony. It's best to play it safe and only show photos from your wedding in the United States. That way, there is no possibility for confusion unless you actually tell the adjudicator about the other wedding in your home country.

Either way, post the outcome, whatever decision you make.

Also just wanted to mention that after the committment ceremony here in the states in July, L went back to the uk and waited until he had his visa at which point he returned we we were officially married 2 days later.

E