CR1 for my fiancé while I'm deployed

[S2N 199]

1 minute ago, xyang410 said:

I will not be able to meet her in person during my deployment, but just to confirm, are you saying I can file the CR1 right after the online marriage, and then continue adding evidence later, especially after our in-person wedding once I return?

No. I was saying once you meet in person you can immediately file.

After filing, you can continue adding evidence — it’s pretty common in cases where the petition is being filed without ever having lived together to add additional evidence such as trips to visit the other person. As an example, my husband and I married in-perdón in the U.S. in December and he returned to Chile in January. I uploaded all our evidence until that point. On 1/1/25 when I filed the I-130.

 

We go back and forth a decent amount to visit, so every visit since then I upload proof of the visit (plane tickets entering and leaving Chile for me. I-94 and CBP travel history for him) with 1-2 pictures as unsolicited evidence to aid what was (imo) an already strong case since it helps with USCIS if needed, and will get sent to NVC and the consulate automatically. The consulate is where having strong evidence matters most.

 

Also see the comment above on DCF — if you’re eligible for it, that’s definitely the way to go, but you’d need to meet in-person even for that. Maybe use leave to meet in a third country at some point? Would help you either do DCF or start your petition to USCIS earlier.

[top_secret 2,694]

Using Korea as a broad example,  USFK has instructions online for troops stationed in Korea.  https://8tharmy.korea.army.mil/sja/assets/doc/marriage/Marriage-In-Korea-USFK-FN.pdf

 

Other stations may be quite different but the basic concept is to get the new spouse squared away with military formalities, then go to Embassy, get green card.

[xyang410 3]

40 minutes ago, top_secret said:

 

 

Depending on where you are deployed overseas you may have options available to you that are not available to the general public.  Troops deployed in Korea, Japan etc can often accomplish a direct consular filing at the US Embassy and get a green card in as little as a month or two.  Definitely consult with base legal services and see what options and assistance are available to you before you file anything with USCIS.

That's good to know but I'm in a 3rd world country in Africa. So that wouldn't be an option for me. However, consulting with base legal would be a good idea still

Edited Wednesday at 12:42 AM by xyang410

[Crazy Cat 44,086]

10 hours ago, xyang410 said:

are you saying I can file the CR1 right after the online marriage,

You cannot file an I-130 until you have met either during or after the marriage ceremony.  

[xyang410 3]

Hi all, running into another question, hoping to get some help.

 

I'm submitting the application using the Utah online marriage service. When filling in my fiancé's name, should I put my last name as her new last name? Or should I keep her current last name? 

She is willing to adopt my last name after the marriage. How will this affect the filing of CR1 in the future? 

 

Thank you! 

[S2N 199]

5 minutes ago, xyang410 said:

Hi all, running into another question, hoping to get some help.

 

I'm submitting the application using the Utah online marriage service. When filling in my fiancé's name, should I put my last name as her new last name? Or should I keep her current last name? 

She is willing to adopt my last name after the marriage. How will this affect the filing of CR1 in the future? 

 

Thank you! 

Current last name. Peoples’ last names change because of previous marriage or adoption so it’s common to have this question on marriage applications.
 

Edited yesterday at 04:58 AM by S2N

[Reynal2m 33]

6 hours ago, xyang410 said:

Hi all, running into another question, hoping to get some help.

 

I'm submitting the application using the Utah online marriage service. When filling in my fiancé's name, should I put my last name as her new last name? Or should I keep her current last name? 

She is willing to adopt my last name after the marriage. How will this affect the filing of CR1 in the future? 

 

Thank you! 

 

When you apply online for a Utah marriage license, the license has to reflect your current legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID. The system pulls that information directly from the ID you provide, and there's no option to enter a new married name during the application process.

Also, Utah marriage documents don’t include any section for selecting or declaring a new last name.

However, once your marriage is recorded and you receive the certified marriage certificate, you can use it to update your last name with places like the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Utah DMV, your passport, banks, employers, and so on.

[xyang410 3]

2 hours ago, Reynal2m said:

When you apply online for a Utah marriage license, the license has to reflect your current legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID. The system pulls that information directly from the ID you provide, and there's no option to enter a new married name during the application process.

Also, Utah marriage documents don’t include any section for selecting or declaring a new last name.

However, once your marriage is recorded and you receive the certified marriage certificate, you can use it to update your last name with places like the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Utah DMV, your passport, banks, employers, and so on.

Much thanks!