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Iza414

Informal marriage for AoS

By Iza414 in Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas

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Iza414 Apprentice

Iza414   0

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Hello! I came from the UK on an esta and after being here a few weeks decided we want to get married. 

 

We’re not exactly wanting a massive wedding and was wondering if getting an informal marriage will still be valid when going through the process of AoS afterwards?

 

Thanks 

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Crazy Cat
Crazy Cat

You do not want anything which might appear ambiguous to USCIS.  Get a formal, legal courthouse wedding and a legal marriage certificate. 

Redro
Redro

Do not call it an informal marriage. It is a legal marriage.  If you call it an informal marriage on any of your documentation your AOS might be denied as they could believe you are ineligible

Crazy Cat
Crazy Cat

Get a legal courthouse wedding.  Get a legal marriage certificate.  Then, start the process.

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wildbug100420   117

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24 minutes ago, Iza414 said:

Hello! I came from the UK on an esta and after being here a few weeks decided we want to get married. 

 

We’re not exactly wanting a massive wedding and was wondering if getting an informal marriage will still be valid when going through the process of AoS afterwards?

 

Thanks 

Define informal marriage. Either you get married or not. 

Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   45,658

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Will it be legal?

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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,979

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48 minutes ago, Iza414 said:

I came from the UK on an esta and after being here a few weeks decided we want to get married. 

Be aware of the work and travel restrictions after filing for adjustment of status.

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Ontarkie Grand Master

Ontarkie   14,275

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A court house or Vegas type of wedding is perfectly fine. It just needs to be a legal marriage. 

 

As Crazy Cat mentioned above make sure you know the restrictions you will be stuck with. No work, no driving, no going home. Well you can go home you just will not be getting back in. 

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Daphne .   1,888

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USCIS doesn't care if you don't have a huge wedding or anything. But please think twice about doing AOS.. 

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Redro Experienced

Redro   4,611

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12 hours ago, Iza414 said:

Hello! I came from the UK on an esta and after being here a few weeks decided we want to get married. 

 

We’re not exactly wanting a massive wedding and was wondering if getting an informal marriage will still be valid when going through the process of AoS afterwards?

 

Thanks 

What do you mean by informal marriage? 

Many K1s will have a small court ceremony (sign paperwork) and then file for adjustment. 

My husband and I went down to city hall and got married without any friends or family in attendance. We didn't go the AOS route but the type of wedding we had never came up during my visa interview. 

You entered the US on ESTA so one would hope you didn't plan a massive wedding before AOS because that would be a display of immigrant intent/ a plan before entering you planned to get married and adjust. 

As long as your marriage is recognized by the state and you have a marriage license/certificate you should be good to go for USCIS. 

Iza414 Apprentice

Iza414   0

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16 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

A court house or Vegas type of wedding is perfectly fine. It just needs to be a legal marriage. 

 

As Crazy Cat mentioned above make sure you know the restrictions you will be stuck with. No work, no driving, no going home. Well you can go home you just will not be getting back in. 

I think it’s also called common law marriage and yes will be legal marriage.

 

Was a bit of a shock seeing all the restrictions but luckily in a situation where this is possible financially etc. 

Iza414 Apprentice

Iza414   0

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5 hours ago, Redro said:

What do you mean by informal marriage? 

Many K1s will have a small court ceremony (sign paperwork) and then file for adjustment. 

My husband and I went down to city hall and got married without any friends or family in attendance. We didn't go the AOS route but the type of wedding we had never came up during my visa interview. 

You entered the US on ESTA so one would hope you didn't plan a massive wedding before AOS because that would be a display of immigrant intent/ a plan before entering you planned to get married and adjust. 

As long as your marriage is recognized by the state and you have a marriage license/certificate you should be good to go for USCIS. 

Common law marriage.

We didn’t have this planned before i came into the country, was here for a month visit but things changed.

Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,979

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3 minutes ago, Iza414 said:

Common law marriage

Get a legal courthouse wedding.  Get a legal marriage certificate.  Then, start the process.

Edited by Crazy Cat

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

Redro Experienced

Redro   4,611

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1 minute ago, Iza414 said:

Common law marriage.

We didn’t have this planned before i came into the country, was here for a month visit but things changed.

Common law marriage generally means you do not purchase a marriage license or receive a marriage certificate though… where (which state)  are you planning this “informal marriage” … are you going through the county/ city hall or?? 
And make sure you have enough for about 12 months of no working… although some adjustments are fairly quick (2-3 months)  other members have had bad luck adjusting from a tourist visa/ ESTA and unable to drive or work for 12+ months… 

Iza414 Apprentice

Iza414   0

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1 minute ago, Redro said:

Common law marriage generally means you do not purchase a marriage license or receive a marriage certificate though… where (which state)  are you planning this “informal marriage” … are you going through the county/ city hall or?? 
And make sure you have enough for about 12 months of no working… although some adjustments are fairly quick (2-3 months)  other members have had bad luck adjusting from a tourist visa/ ESTA and unable to drive or work for 12+ months… 

Texas, going to the county clerks office for a license. Which then they provide the service for the informal marriage also.

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Redro Experienced

Redro   4,611

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3 minutes ago, Iza414 said:

Texas, going to the county clerks office for a license. Which then they provide the service for the informal marriage also.

Do not call it an informal marriage.

It is a legal marriage. 
If you call it an informal marriage on any of your documentation your AOS might be denied as they could believe you are ineligible for the green card. 
You are getting legally married. You’re just not having a big wedding. 
ETA congrats!
I wish you a speedy process. 
 

Edited by Redro
Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,979

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4 minutes ago, Iza414 said:

Which then they provide the service for the informal marriage also

I wouldn't call it an informal marriage.  It will be a legal marriage. 

Edited by Crazy Cat

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

Iza414 Apprentice

Iza414   0

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2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I wouldn't call it an informal marriage.  It will be a legal marriage. 

I know it will still be legal it’s just that’s literally what the service they offer is called. 

 

I will question if we will receive a certificate afterwards as that is important.

 
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