VisaJourney2025

Unfortunately, I wish that the system followed that process, however, the state in where the petitioner resides and files the I-130 ALSO has to deem legal/recognize cousin marriage. That’s where my confusion arises. My idea is to move to a state where first cousin marriages aren’t legal within the state but recognizes first cousin marriages if performed in a state/country where legal. I am referring to Oklahoma btw if anyone is curious. Will USCIS deny my petition based on the above fact?

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!

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).

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.