Cousin Marriage (Constructive advice only)

[VisaJourney2025 0]

I’ve married my first cousin overseas a couple years back. We want to start our lives together, we’re tired of the long distance relationship. I am aware that USCIS validates first cousin marriage if legal in the place of celebration (it is). 
 

I currently live in a state that does not allow first cousin marriage nor does it recognize out of state first cousin marriage (no exceptions). 
 

My idea was to move to Denver, Colorado (first cousin marriage is legal), but I am over thinking it due to today’s economy. I would have to start from scratch, etc. 
 

My other idea was to move to Oklahoma. Oklahoma does not permit first cousin marriages within the state but it does recognize and deems valid first cousin marriage if performed in a jurisdiction where it it valid (where we got married first cousin marriage is 100% legal). 
 

I have family that lives in Oklahoma so moving to Oklahoma would be an easier option even though salaries are not as good as Colorado. 
 

Can I summit the I-130 form for my wife now and lie about my current living address since I currently live in a state where first cousin in state/out of state isn’t recognized due to the strong policy of the state? 
 

I would like to get this moving quickly and know that I-130 take longer to get accepted if your wife lives overseas and not in the US. 
 

Regarding filling and summit the I-130 form , will I need a lawyer based on my particular and peculiar case or should I do the entire process myself considering there’s plenty of YouTube videos are out there now? 
 

Any help regarding my question will be much appreciated. Ideas will also be accepted here as well. 
 

PS: I got enough proof showing that my marriage is 100% bona fide. Thousands of pictures with my wife, a couple of ticket flights of me going to see her and visa versa as she has a US tourism visa. Couple of tickets going to trips together. 

[Ryan H 3,865]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[Ban Hammer 14,148]

1 hour ago, VisaJourney2025 said:

Can I summit the I-130 form for my wife now and lie about my current living address since I currently live in a state where first cousin in state/out of state isn’t recognized due to the strong policy of the state? 

 

lying on forms is a great way to get your petition denied.  do not think for one moment that the federal government does not have data on you that will clearly
show you are misrepresenting yourself on the forms.

please read the terms of service, which you agreed to follow upon joining this site
https://www.visajourney.com/terms-of-service/
 

Quote

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Condone or instruct, either directly or indirectly, others on how to commit fraudulent or illegal immigration activities in any way, shape, manner or method.

 

[h02ejmajja 62]

You most definitely should not lie - will you also lie about your place of employment? About the dates you lived in different places? Will you lie about her visits to the US (going to the incorrect location you are lying about) You likely knew going into this marriage that this would complicate immigration, so you must have known that you were going to have to make some tough choices in regards to this part of it. In the end, you want an approved visa right? So do it the right way and make sure that everything is legal and valid before filing anything

[Boiler 47,170]

Which Consulate will she be interviewing at.

 

I sometimes think I have seen it, heard it, but I am sure there are things the USCIS have seen I have not, they have seen this a thousand times, do not mess it up.

Edited June 8 by Boiler

[TBoneTX 47,252]

Never ever lie during any part of this process:

1)  You'll always be trying to remember what you said when to whom.

2)  Immediately or eventually, it will come back to bite you, often with disastrous results.

[VisaJourney2025 0]

Thanks for the feedback y’all.
 

I made the decision of I moving to Oklahoma in 1 month. I just wanted to get the ball rolling asap since the distance relationship with my wife is killing me. We do get to see each other every other month but it’s not enough.
 

I will just wait until I finalize my move to Oklahoma and start my process once I’m actually there. 
 

Do I need some sort of identification that I’m living in Oklahoma when processing the form? Or will a lease/pay stuff suffice to prove that I’m actually living in Oklahoma once I’m there? 

Also, does anyone know if in reality I need a lawyer for my case? Or can I complete the form on my own (plenty of YouTube videos out there that help with this). 

[Boiler 47,170]

Drivers License?

[pushbrk 13,528]

15 hours ago, VisaJourney2025 said:

Thanks for the feedback y’all.
 

I made the decision of I moving to Oklahoma in 1 month. I just wanted to get the ball rolling asap since the distance relationship with my wife is killing me. We do get to see each other every other month but it’s not enough.
 

I will just wait until I finalize my move to Oklahoma and start my process once I’m actually there. 
 

Do I need some sort of identification that I’m living in Oklahoma when processing the form? Or will a lease/pay stuff suffice to prove that I’m actually living in Oklahoma once I’m there? 

Also, does anyone know if in reality I need a lawyer for my case? Or can I complete the form on my own (plenty of YouTube videos out there that help with this). 

You don't need anything to prove where you are living, but if you have a lease, I would include it under your special circumstances.  In a year or so, you'll need to have a job and provide an affidavit of support, so be prepared for that. Many people manage this process on their own, but you tube videos are no substitute for becoming an A-Student of the I-130 instruction and all the forms themselves.  Start there after clicking on the word "guides" at the top of any page here.

 

Whether doing it yourself is a good idea depends on your aptitude, attitude, and willingness do the necessary homework.  This process is about more than filling out forms.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,110]

3 hours ago, pushbrk said:

You don't need anything to prove where you are living,

Considering validity of OP’s marriage for i130 depends on which state OP lives in, it will probably be more relevant in this case.

[pushbrk 13,528]

19 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Considering validity of OP’s marriage for i130 depends on which state OP lives in, it will probably be more relevant in this case.

I wrote a complete sentence.  No period was in the place you put it in your quote.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,110]

11 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

I wrote a complete sentence.  No period was in the place you put it in your quote.

You’re right. My bad for not reading it properly.

[TBoneTX 47,252]

All:  It's crucial to quote enough of someone else's post to retain the author's intended meaning.  Further instances of this will incur administrative action.

 

VJ Moderation

[SalishSea 18,457]

On 6/7/2025 at 4:17 PM, VisaJourney2025 said:

Can I summit the I-130 form for my wife now and lie about my current living address since I currently live in a state where first cousin in state/out of state isn’t recognized due to the strong policy of the state? 

The word you seek is "submit."

 

Do not lie.  US consulate visa officers in countries where cousin marriage is a thing are well aware of this misrepresentation strategy.

[VisaJourney2025 0]

I hope that everyone is doing good.

 

I have a question that is not quite clear to me regarding my cousin marriage.

 

I know that the place of celebration and state of residence play a crucial part in getting a cousin marriage I-130 petition approved. 
 

Does the petitioner have to live in a state where first cousin all around is legal. 

 

Or can petitioner live in state where first cousin marriages are illegal within the state (performed in that state) but the state deems valid and recognizes first cousin marriage if performed in a jurisdiction where it is 100% legal (strongly written in their public policy). 

 

Remember, legal & valid are not the same thing.

 

I want to see if I have a shot moving to a state where first cousin marriage is illegal within the state but valid if marriage was performed in a jurisdiction where legal (in my case it was). 

 

If anyone here that is an expert in this topic, please comment! 
 

I know first cousin is uncommon and quite rare (you can say), but if anyone here got married to their first cousin and filed and I-130, please comment your process below. 
 

Thanks much!
 

 

Edited Tuesday at 08:43 PM by VisaJourney2025
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