Can I have a civil wedding ceremony with my fiance who I will start sponsoring this week?

[JohnCAL 2]

I was separated from my ex when I got introduced to my current fiance in Vietnam. Because of complications with my divorce, I couldn't marry my fiance the two times I met her there last December and last June. My divorce was finally completed in July and I can't go back to Vietnam until December. Since I want her to be here quick I want to use the K1 visa process now instead of the Spousal visa which requires me to wait to get marry in December.

Her family wants us to be married with a civil ceremony before she goes to the US to live with me. If I start the K1 process now, will a civil wedding ceremony in December complicates my case? I heard that if they found out about the ceremony, our case could be considered fraud.

Edited August 23, 2015 by JohnCAL

[Girl from Celebes 588]

As many cases I have seen on VJ, if you married her then you can't choose K- visa route. Whether it is a civil wedding or religious one, the U.S. government still recognized it as a legal marriage.

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

married/ apply for spouse visa

if you apply for K1 and marry, you will loose application money and have to reapply as spouse

[Darnell 8,478]

i suggest alternative:

she come here, live with uncle. You two marry in USA, fulfilling the requirements of a K-1 visa holder to file to an Adjustment of Status. After you two marry in USA, she still live with Uncle.

Then, after she has her greencard in hand, the two of you travel back to Vietnam and marry there. When you two return, you can help her move out of her Uncle's House and into yours..

Sound ridiculous? I think so also, but a civil ceremony in Vietnam makes no sense to me, either;

as

a civil ceremony is always registered there. That's why it's called a civil ceremony. When registered, it shows up on the namechecks the IV Unit does there in_country.

Sorry.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

If you are married, then she will not be eligible for a K-1 fiance(e) visa. If you tried to marry it and hide it while still going for the K-1, then that would be considered fraud.

You either wait and marry in Dec. and then file for a CR-1 spousal visa, or you go ahead with the K-1 and you marry in the US within 90 days of her entry. You cannot get married before getting or using a K-1.

[JohnCAL 2]

I am sorry, I am not sure if my language is clear enough. I meant religious/traditional ceremony. I was confused and used the word "civil" for a religious/traditional ceremony.

Edited August 23, 2015 by JohnCAL

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Still a no

[JohnCAL 2]

Thanks!

[Ryan H 3,790]

I am sorry, I am not sure if my language is clear enough. I meant religious/traditional ceremony. I was confused and used the word "civil" for a religious/traditional ceremony.

What does applicable Vietnamese law say about this, does having one of these constitute a legal marriage? If so, then no.

[Kim Mertens 54]

You`ll most likely get in trouble, I suggest you don`t. Go for the safe route and marry in the US first, or go for a cr-1.

Good luck!

[Cathi 5,609]

no

[dwheels76 5,459]

I am sorry, I am not sure if my language is clear enough. I meant religious/traditional ceremony. I was confused and used the word "civil" for a religious/traditional ceremony.

I know in Vietnam its very complicated to get married. But even a religious/traditional ceremony can nullify your K1.

[Elizabeth+Fred 35]

What does applicable Vietnamese law say about this, does having one of these constitute a legal marriage? If so, then no.

It probably matters more what the CO will think during the interview. If such a procedure is normally considered

a marriage, of part thereof, the CO might consider the couple married, and, this, ineligble for the K-1.

Most people asking similar questions here have been advised to NOT do it, just to avoid the risk of being

denied for that reason...

[David & Diana R 1,005]

I was separated from my ex when I got introduced to my current fiance in Vietnam. Because of complications with my divorce, I couldn't marry my fiance the two times I met her there last December and last June. My divorce was finally completed in July and I can't go back to Vietnam until December. Since I want her to be here quick I want to use the K1 visa process now instead of the Spousal visa which requires me to wait to get marry in December.

Her family wants us to be married with a civil ceremony before she goes to the US to live with me. If I start the K1 process now, will a civil wedding ceremony in December complicates my case? I heard that if they found out about the ceremony, our case could be considered fraud.

Don't so it....BIG mistake. You can't be married and file for a K-1. And that's that!

[David & Diana R 1,005]

I am sorry, I am not sure if my language is clear enough. I meant religious/traditional ceremony. I was confused and used the word "civil" for a religious/traditional ceremony.

No, no. no. A ceremony of any kind could be seen as a wedding. When people see photos of your "traditional" ceremony they will appear to look like what we in the USA see as a wedding ceremony...yes? Don't risk it.

Edited August 24, 2015 by David & Zoila