Marriage Certificate

[amb1 1]

Hi VJer's,

My mom finally go her IR5 visa interview a week ago after a year and half of waiting at the NVC stage. Before that, NVC requested for a marriage certificate between my Mom and Dad which they didn't have . They got married in a traditional ceremony in the 70s and they've been divorced for over 30 years. So I wrote to NVC explaining the circumstances and NCV approved and DQ the petition.

 

At her Visa interview, the consular didn't asked much questions. But she was asked to bring a marriage certificate and then they kept her passport.

 

My question is, is Affidavits of marriage from someone who witnessed the traditional wedding ceremony enough proof. or is there any other document she can present to the embassy ?since the marriage was never registered and in this case, there was no married Certificate nor divorce degree.

 

Your response will be appreciated.

[D-R-J 154]

We are also applying for my wife’s mom and going through the same thing.

 

I’d be interested to hear other people’s experiences.

 

My wife’s parents are trying to register their customary marriage through the council (I think?). 

[D-R-J 154]

The document reciprocity site seems to indicate that a solution would be to do an ordinance marriage and have “married under customary law” under the condition section.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Ghana.html

[Nashmusah 1]

On 10/26/2023 at 12:29 AM, amb1 said:

Hi VJer's,

My mom finally go her IR5 visa interview a week ago after a year and half of waiting at the NVC stage. Before that, NVC requested for a marriage certificate between my Mom and Dad which they didn't have . They got married in a traditional ceremony in the 70s and they've been divorced for over 30 years. So I wrote to NVC explaining the circumstances and NCV approved and DQ the petition.

 

At her Visa interview, the consular didn't asked much questions. But she was asked to bring a marriage certificate and then they kept her passport.

 

My question is, is Affidavits of marriage from someone who witnessed the traditional wedding ceremony enough proof. or is there any other document she can present to the embassy ?since the marriage was never registered and in this case, there was no married Certificate nor divorce degree.

 

Your response will be appreciated.

I will only advise you to go and register your mom's marriage with your family members who already had witness that married took place together with an affidavit to support your argument. 

[amb1 1]

22 hours ago, Nashmusah said:

I will only advise you to go and register your mom's marriage with your family members who already had witness that married took place together with an affidavit to support your argument. 

Hi Nashmusah.

Thanks very much for the advice. Can you elaborate further on how to get the process done? 

I know how to get the affidavits done. But I'm not sure how to register the marriage registered with the affidavits. My parents have been divorced for over 30.

 

I appreciate your advice. 

[D-R-J 154]

23 hours ago, amb1 said:

Hi Nashmusah.

Thanks very much for the advice. Can you elaborate further on how to get the process done? 

I know how to get the affidavits done. But I'm not sure how to register the marriage registered with the affidavits. My parents have been divorced for over 30.

 

I appreciate your advice. 

Go to the municipal or metropolitan assembly. They should be able to help you with the documents.

[D-R-J 154]

They will give you a document like this:Then you will need to do this for divorce:

 

Dissolution of customary marriage: Documentation of the dissolution of a customary marriage is a decree, issued by a High Court, District Court, or Circuit Court along with a statutory declaration by the couples’ families, stating that the marriage in question was dissolved in accordance with customary law. You may find a record of the dissolution of a customary marriage on the reverse of the customary marriage certificate.