guggs19

2 minutes ago, luv2teach77 said:

I would assume that is how it works.  Essentially you can't get a marriage license and then get married the same day in New York state.  However, based on the info related to Las Vegas, marriage licenses are issued the same day there, enabling you to proceed with the ceremony immediately.

ok thats what i figured. so get a marriage license which is good for 2 months in NY STATE, and then just get married on a random day?

I didn't know if you could get married on the same day or not, i didnt understand how that worked.

3 minutes ago, Transborderwife said:

I'd recommend getting a nexus card before applying for a visa.  It will make crossings easier 

i do have one !

6 minutes ago, luv2teach77 said:

Marriage license requirements and the timeline needed to apply for one vary by state but off the top of my head you could fly to Vegas and get married in a wedding chapel there which may require as little as 24 hours between applying for a marriage license and actually getting married.  That timeline will vary by state but I would assume your girlfriend could apply for a marriage license in New York state and you guys could get married at a city hall or registry office during one of your visits.  As long as you return to Canada afterwards, there is nothing illegal in doing that.

 

Below is the info for marriage licenses issued in Las Vegas.

 

http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/clerk/services/Pages/MarriageLicenses.aspx

NY has a 24 hour waiting period, in essence how does that work, you apply, you then have to wait 24 hours and then you go to city hall and get mairried. .i was a little confused by that..

Just now, guggs19 said:

NY has a 24 hour waiting period, in essence how does that work, you apply, you then have to wait 24 hours and then you go to city hall and get mairried. .i was a little confused by that..

7 minutes ago, luv2teach77 said:

Marriage license requirements and the timeline needed to apply for one vary by state but off the top of my head you could fly to Vegas and get married in a wedding chapel there which may require as little as 24 hours between applying for a marriage license and actually getting married.  That timeline will vary by state but I would assume your girlfriend could apply for a marriage license in New York state and you guys could get married at a city hall or registry office during one of your visits.  As long as you return to Canada afterwards, there is nothing illegal in doing that.

 

Below is the info for marriage licenses issued in Las Vegas.

 

http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/clerk/services/Pages/MarriageLicenses.aspx

can you explain to me how that works?

1 minute ago, Dan Jr said:

Hi. I'd say it all depends on your needs. I had the same issue a couple of months ago. I'm a US citizen living in San Diego (border city) and had been dating my then boyfriend for six years who lives on the other side of the border. We also live like 30 mins apart (he has a tourist visa). So we decided to get married in California and he got back to Mexico and file the I-130 while he is outside of the country. We decided this was the best option since he's finishing his psychology internship in Mexico and we get to see each other very often. He crosses the border to visit me in California every weekend and hadn't had any issues so far. I assume most people choose to just stay in the US because they don't have the opportunity of seeing their significant other as often as we do. Good luck!

I have the same luxury you have we are not that far apart.

8 minutes ago, luv2teach77 said:

Can I clarify one point please !!

 

Coming to the US from another country with the pre-determined plan to to get married to a US citizen is absolutely, 100% legal.

 

HOWEVER... planning to remain in the US beyond the time allowed by your non-immigrant visa (tourist / work / student) and / or filing to adjust status as a result of that marriage while remaining in the US will almost certainly be considered visa fraud and open you to a high level of additional scrutiny if the application even gets to the adjudication stage.

 

As has previously been mentioned, there are multiple visa options open to you but none of them will allow you to marry and remain in the US for the entire process.  In most cases, visiting the US from another country is still permitted during the visa application process but care should be taken to not be seen to be abusing this right.  Your USC fiancee / spouse will also be free to visit you in Canada per the rules and regulations set out in her tourist visa.

 

Trying to bend the rules or work the system to your advantage will likely cause you more trouble and time than deciding on an approved immigration path and working around its inherent restrictions.

 

Good luck.

 

Mark

So Mark, just a question how do you get married in the us? how can i go about doing that without it being fraudulent - minus the finacee visa

5 minutes ago, kat.cap13 said:

Yes or if you aren't ready to get married right away, your girlfriend can file the K1 visa. Whatever works - but get started on the paperwork asap as it can take awhile to compile the documentation.

 

As for crossing over on a B2 status with a visa pending - always be honest with the officer. If your married let them know your visiting your wife, if you aren't married you're visiting your girlfriend. Be prepared to show the officer strong ties to Canada as it's common questioning if you have a visa pending. 

I think that is thhe best option, i cross almost every weekend and have never had a problem, we are ready to get married in the next few months. I do think getting married in ontario is better, but would make more sense to do it in ny. i guess i can get married come back have her file and then continue to try and cross until the visa is done. My other suggestion is it still consider fraud if we just to decide to get married on a whim on a vacation or some sort? i still dont know how i can get married in ny without it being fraudulent and thats what im trying to decide.

8 minutes ago, kat.cap13 said:

If you cross over the border as a tourist (B-2) and marry your girlfriend in the US, but your intention before entering the US was to get married - that would be fraudulent. However, if you entered the US without the intention of getting married and it just happens you'd file an Adjustment of Status (Form I-130). USCIS will look at how quickly you and your girlfriend got married - if you got married within the 30 days (30/60 rules) of the Port of Entry date than USCIS will think your intention wasn't to enter as a tourist. Its extremely risky to go down this path for citizenship. I wouldn't recommend it as the implications are severe if fraud is detected….

 

Are you planning on keeping your job in Canada? If you get married in Canada and wait for the green card you won't have issues crossing the border as long as you're within the 6 months of the B-2 and show strong ties to Canada. This will be easy to do if you are employed in Canada. 

I would like to keep my job as long as possible, however, i do not mind to lose it. I am working in the niagara area and she is lives in buffalo so it does not seem that far. so best thing is to get married in canada she goes home and files, what do i tell border guards after she has filed. i am visiting my wife or gf?

As a canadian citizen I can stay up to 6 months in the us without coming back to canada

with option number 3 i would not be able to enter the us until that is approved right? Seems like option 2 is best.. what about getting married and just staying in the US.. until everything is approved

thanks for the answer. im just trying to find the easiest way to do, we live super close just with the border it is a bit of an issue

she lives in the us.. i live in canada

Hi,

I am a canadian citizen and my gf and I have been dating for over a year now. I work in Canada but on a border town and she works/lives about 30 minutes from where I work. Does anyone have advice on the best way to go about marry my gf? Is it best to just cross over and get married on a random day and then file? Also we were informed I could do a two step process, get married, come back and continue to visit her until visa is approved. I know this may run me the risk of not being able to re enter once a visa is pending. Secondly, would it best to get married, file and just stay in the US until all the documents are received?

Any one have any info or advice?

Also what forms are best to fill out i was going to fill out the spousal application plus the advance parole to try and allow me to keep my job