Marriage by Proxy Can You do this and How???

[dwheels76 5,463]

Question from a friend:

Co-worker of mine (who is Nigerian but a long-time US Citizen) mentioned something to me about a civil marriage where someone can "stand-in" or represent me for marriage in Nigeria. Does anyone have any idea what she is talking about?

She says two of her cousins did it and of course I'm like, they are Nigerian right? And she said yes but were US citizens at the time they did it. She said the process is supposed to help people who cannot either afford to continuously travel or cannot handle the demands of taking time from work or school. In one instance her cousin was in medical school and couldn't leave the rotation for travel to Nigeria. Anyone?

[Ivy. 113]

I don't know about how one would do it, but here is what I-130 instructions have to say about that:

Who May Not File Form I-130?

4. A husband or wife, if you and your spouse were not both physically present at the marriage ceremony, and the marriage was not consummated.

[Darnell 8,478]

to be married by proxy is ok, however

if the couple has not met and consummated the marriage after the proxy marriage occurs,

is useless to file the I-130, as USCIS will deny the petition.

[UK-USA-K1 128]

I don't know about how one would do it, but here is what I-130 instructions have to say about that:

I can see a time where one might want a proxy for the first part, but I certainly hope they aren't planning to proxy out the second part of that

[hobbitofohio 10]

We were married by proxy. I did it in Texas. I flew to Texas and did had the wedding by proxy. My wife was in Russia. She came on a K1. (We did not see each other between the wedding and her arrival. If you see each other between wedding and arrival at poe, you can not use the k1 and use the cr1.)

Edited June 27, 2013 by hobbitofohio

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Proxy is fine, non-consummated is not. The two will have to see each other some time after the marriage, but before the filing...

[Merrytooth 5,748]

9 FAM 40.1 N1.3 Proxy Marriage

9 FAM 40.1 N1.3-1 Consummated

(CT:VISA-1000; 09-03-2008)

For the purpose of issuing an immigrant visa (IV) to a “spouse,” a proxy marriage

that has been subsequently consummated is deemed to have been valid as of the

date of the proxy ceremony. Proxy marriages consummated prior to the proxy

ceremony cannot serves as a basis for the valid marriage for immigration

purposes.

9 FAM 40.1 N1.3-2 Unconsummated

(CT:VISA-1165; 03-06-2009)

A proxy marriage, that has not been subsequently consummated, does not create

or confer the status of “spouse” for immigration purposes pursuant to INA

101(a)(35). A party to an unconsummated proxy marriage may be processed as a

nonimmigrant fiancé(e). A proxy marriage celebrated in a jurisdiction recognizing

such marriage is generally considered to be valid, thus, an actual marriage in the

United States is not necessary if such alien is admitted to the United States under

INA provisions other than as a spouse. (See 9 FAM 41.81 N1.1.)

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/86920.pdf

[Ivy. 113]

We were married by proxy. I did it in Texas. I flew to Texas and did had the wedding by proxy. My wife was in Russia. She came on a K1. (We did not see each other between the wedding and her arrival. If you see each other between wedding and arrival at poe, you can not use the k1 and use the cr1.)

I am sorry if this is too personal (in which case, ignore me please), but why did you choose to do that? If she was coming on a K1, why get married via proxy before she arrives?

[SAT 9,609]

More importantly, how do I prosper from these proxy marriages?

[dwheels76 5,463]

More importantly, how do I prosper from these proxy marriages?

LOL Steve go to time out. You probably could profit greatly if you can getter done now.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

If they have never met proxy marriage does nothing. You can't do a K1 and you can't do an I130. If you are going to meet then either marry then or do the K1. Nigerians are full of stories about how to do fraud at every turn. My husband and I recently had a "lively " disussion about the ability of his mother to get "free" medical care as an immigrant. He insists there is "a way Nigerians take care of this"

[Lucas&Lucas 4]

Question from a friend: Co-worker of mine (who is Nigerian but a long-time US Citizen) mentioned something to me about a civil marriage where someone can "stand-in" or represent me for marriage in Nigeria. Does anyone have any idea what she is talking about? She says two of her cousins did it and of course I'm like, they are Nigerian right? And she said yes but were US citizens at the time they did it. She said the process is supposed to help people who cannot either afford to continuously travel or cannot handle the demands of taking time from work or school. In one instance her cousin was in medical school and couldn't leave the rotation for travel to Nigeria. Anyone?

Dwheels.. did you remember my post where I said the consulate asked me proof that marriage was consummate before interview ??

That happened because I was married by proxy, we had to send the passport stamps, hotel receipts in "both" names, pics to USCIS approve our I-130, and the consulate is asking more proof because I am already 2 years married... then we have my husband second visit after the marriage.

I got married by proxy in Denver ,CO,USA... My hubby went there and I had a Lawyer on my place.

[Jawaree 717]

So do stand in proxy get to be consummate proxy too

[dwheels76 5,463]

Dwheels.. did you remember my post where I said the consulate asked me proof that marriage was consummate before interview ??

That happened because I was married by proxy, we had to send the passport stamps, hotel receipts in "both" names, pics to USCIS approve our I-130, and the consulate is asking more proof because I am already 2 years married... then we have my husband second visit after the marriage.

I got married by proxy in Denver ,CO,USA... My hubby went there and I had a Lawyer on my place.

yes i specifically told my friend about your story. Thank you.

[Kolewenoik31 57]

Dwheels.. did you remember my post where I said the consulate asked me proof that marriage was consummate before interview ??

That happened because I was married by proxy, we had to send the passport stamps, hotel receipts in "both" names, pics to USCIS approve our I-130, and the consulate is asking more proof because I am already 2 years married... then we have my husband second visit after the marriage.

I got married by proxy in Denver ,CO,USA... My hubby went there and I had a Lawyer on my place.

Wow....how do you show proof of consumation? As it is said all in ya bizness!