Does it matter WHERE you get married?

[EandH0904 1,184]

I am intending to marry my Moroccan fiance. We know that to get married in Morocco takes 4-5 weeks, which is a problem for us - while my job would let me leave for that long, it would be difficult (we tried to submit a letter at his K1 interview stating it would be a burden to the company for me to leave that long) - not to mention I'd likely have to bring my children or make two trips. So we thought about looking into getting married at a third country. 

 

He can travel, without a visa, to the Caribbean island of Dominica. He could also go to Brazil, Ecuador, a bunch of places without a visa. If we got married in one of those countries - would it look bad when applying for a CR1 visa that we didn't get married in Morocco? Married is married for all intents and purposes, right? (it takes 2 days for foreigners to get married in Dominica!)

 

Other than things like family presence at the wedding, is there any practical purpose when applying for a CR1 visa that getting married in Morocco would have over getting married in a third country would have? 

 

Thanks for any thoughts that maybe we are overlooking. 

 

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Nope you can marry anywhere for a cr1

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

It may look better in certain countries to marry with their family around; but like above, married is married where ever it happens.

[RJandHamid 1,128]

I think you can marry anywhere as long as both the US and Morocco recognize the marriage as legal and valid. However, in my honest opinion, they will likely still scrutinize your case. Just getting married doesn't solve the issue of not having a lot of face time together, which I recall might have been an issue in the K1 denial. You will still need to address any red flags you had in the K1 petition in a future CR1 petition. If possible, at least spend some time together in the country you choose to get married in before/after the marriage to help strengthen your application. 

[EandH0904 1,184]

1 hour ago, RJandHamid said:

 Just getting married doesn't solve the issue of not having a lot of face time together, which I recall might have been an issue in the K1 denial. You will still need to address any red flags you had in the K1 petition in a future CR1 petition.  

Well our age difference won't change. I'm taking my son there for a couple weeks this summer. So if we got married it would be after that and we'd have another visit before his interview inshallah and I'd do my best to be in country during the interview. So that would be 8 visits over the course of three years. Maybe not for months at a time but the best we can do. 

[Happytobe 164]

It doesn't always take 4-5 weeks. If planned properly and if many of the tedious things are done beforehand, the process can take only about 2 weeks.  It may be scrutinized at the consulate if you go to another country to marry and do not have a "traditional " Muslim wedding. Sure the US would recognize it, per se, but the authorities in Morocco would not. I saw a previous post of yours saying you are Muslim, so that is something to consider, as well. 

[Shannon & Ibrahim 15]

Good luck. Let me now what you find out about marriage timelines.

Edited May 21, 2017 by Shannon & Ibrahim
wrong answer

[Boiler 43,430]

Seems a long way for Family to travel.

 

How would he get to Dominica?

[USAMorocco 143]

It doesn't matter where you get married.  As long as it's legal.  Many people go to third countries.  

[sparkles_ 456]

Probably best to follow it up with a wedding party in Morocco and register the foreign marriage there as well. We registered our American wedding in order to add to the family book.

Edited May 27, 2017 by sparkles_