Need info on marriage process in Cambodia

[Layawho 0]

Hi all! I'm planning on going to marry my fiancé in September and will file for a CR1. I understand there is a process to be followed, to be considered legally married in Cambodia. My question is, is a wedding ceremony a must? can I get by without doing the whole traditional wedding ceremony? It is just not my thing and I find it such a waste of money. I would rather have a small ceremony (westernized) at the beach!

I don't want at the time of the interview be denied just because I did not have a traditional ceremony. Is the lack of a ceremony means lack of evidence?

Thanks

[NikaMo 39]

If you can go through with the complex wedding process why don't you want a wedding ceremony? If financial reason is the only reason, just know that you can have an all inclusive traditional wedding ceremony for a unbelievable low price for a pretty big wedding.. All you have to do is you and all your guests has to show up and it won't cost more then a few thousand dollars for a compatible wedding would cost $20,000 or more here. There are many wedding centers that can do a pretty good job hosting all inclusive wedding party for a fraction of cost compared to here in the USA.

[Layawho 0]

If you can go through with the complex wedding process why don't you want a wedding ceremony? If financial reason is the only reason, just know that you can have an all inclusive traditional wedding ceremony for a unbelievable low price for a pretty big wedding.. All you have to do is you and all your guests has to show up and it won't cost more then a few thousand dollars for a compatible wedding would cost $20,000 or more here. There are many wedding centers that can do a pretty good job hosting all inclusive wedding party for a fraction of cost compared to here in the USA.

The money saved from not having a big ceremony would be better put to use once my spouse arrives in the US. I do however will consider the all inclusive.

Please if anyone can let me know of any other options!

Thanks

[Virtuous45 31]

Whether a big ceremony that cost a whole lot, or a small ceremony that cost minimal to nothing, what is important are the vows you make to each other in the presence of a licenced officer and a few witnesses...and the document that shows you are married at the end. Whichever route you choose to take, make sure at the end you have evidence that the marriage took place, such as photos of the event showing you, your spouse and other persons in the pictures. USCIS is more interested in seeing evidence of the relationship between you and the person you are petitioning for.

[Layawho 0]

Whether a big ceremony that cost a whole lot, or a small ceremony that cost minimal to nothing, what is important are the vows you make to each other in the presence of a licenced officer and a few witnesses...and the document that shows you are married at the end. Whichever route you choose to take, make sure at the end you have evidence that the marriage took place, such as photos of the event showing you, your spouse and other persons in the pictures. USCIS is more interested in seeing evidence of the relationship between you and the person you are petitioning for.

Totally in an agreement that what really matters is the end, that we are legally married. Just that in Cambodia, a wedding usually means a traditional ceremony. If I were to have a non traditional one, like a ceremony at the beach, I'm afraid that May not be considered as "evidence".

Thanks for your support!

[Virtuous45 31]

Where or how much you spend on a wedding, is not what matters as evidence for USCIS. What they want to see are physical evidence such as photographs with you, your spouse along with family and/or friends, to show that the event happened. As well as the marriage certificate.

If getting married in Cambodia means doing it the traditional way, then find the cheapest traditional way that you can. But while you are doing it, keep in the fore front of your mind, that you need to capture the moment for evidence later.

Good luck on your wedding and petitioning for your wife.

[Layawho 0]

Where or how much you spend on a wedding, is not what matters as evidence for USCIS. What they want to see are physical evidence such as photographs with you, your spouse along with family and/or friends, to show that the event happened. As well as the marriage certificate.

If getting married in Cambodia means doing it the traditional way, then find the cheapest traditional way that you can. But while you are doing it, keep in the fore front of your mind, that you need to capture the moment for evidence later.

Good luck on your wedding and petitioning for your wife.

Thank you so much! For your advice. You have really put my mind at eased!

[Virtuous45 31]

You're welcome. Glad I could help.

[NikaMo 39]

Everyone giving you good advice here. However every country is different and local US Embassy strictly follow local custom. If you don't follow local tradition it may be difficult for you in the long run. It is a tradition in Cambodia to do a traditional ceremony. It is kind of required by local custom. Like I said US Embassy strictly follows local customs. You already know that you have long complex procedure to get married in Cambodia but it is not required by US law. But if you do not follow local Cambodian procedure to get married, your case will be thrown out and denied the first minute of your interview. So I strongly advice you to follow local custom. You start with US Embassy to get a certify letter showing you are illegible to marry a Cambodian national. So all the good advice you are getting from other people who are not Cambodian, they are not familiar with Cambodian local laws and customs. I have been through it all and have seen it all. Many denials and approval throughout my visa journey starting in 2010 and ending in October 2013 with successfully bringing my love to me after a very complex and complicated journey.

[NikaMo 39]

Again, getting approval from USCIS is not the problem. It's passing the interview is the problem. Just read many fellow visajourney members story from Cambodia.I am not a Cambodia but my wife is. I am not also original American. So I do know about visa procedures of other countries as well. Every country is different and you need to go by what your country tradition and requirement. Like I said if you don't go by local tradition, your case will be denied at the interview. In this particular Embassy, denial rate is very high. So get more information as you can from other fellow Cambodian visa journey members not from other country members. You will be surprised how different it is during interview compared to other countries.