newbie222

You can get married wherever you want for this process. Married is married. All USCIS wants is a legal marriage but they dint care whether it's in Canada, Pakistan, on a cruise ship or in a forest.

Thanks. Will the consulate in Canada ask for a nikkahnama because we will not have one.

My potential fiance is a Pakistani citizen, but is a permanent resident of Canada (where she lives/works). I live/work in the US and am a US citizen. We would like to have a wedding reception/event in Pakistan, but before we travel to Pakistan, would it make sense to have a court marriage in Canada. I feel this would preclude the need for a nikahnama in Pakistan (and the associated hassles of translating/notarizing in Pakistan). Would it count against us when I apply for her CR-1?

2nd question (related): Could we have a court marriage in Canada next month to start the CR-1 process and then when its approved, then proceed to Pakistan for the wedding reception/event? Or would it be advisable to have the court marriage the day before we leave for Pakistan (so as to minimize the gap between court marriage and reception) and then come back and file for a CR-1?

Thanks for all your help