xyang410

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

Thanks everyone for your input.
 
We have decided to still move forward with the online marriage in July, continue gathering supporting evidence during my deployment and hold our wedding ceremony in Vietnam once I return. After the ceremony, we will file the CR1 with a strong set of documents.
 
I understand the process will be long, but this seems to be the most secure and straightforward path for us to be together.

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.

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

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.

Thanks everyone for your input.
 
We have decided to still move forward with the online marriage in July, continue gathering supporting evidence during my deployment and hold our wedding ceremony in Vietnam once I return. After the ceremony, we will file the CR1 with a strong set of documents.
 
I understand the process will be long, but this seems to be the most secure and straightforward path for us to be together.

We chose the Utah online marriage route because same-sex marriage isn’t legally recognized in the Dominican Republic. After the ceremony, we made sure to reunite in person for our honeymoon at a resort in Punta Cana.

One important note: it's best not to submit the I-130 immediately after the wedding, as doing so can raise red flags for potential fraud.

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.
K-1 
  More expensive than CR-1
  Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)
  Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 3-6 months) 
  Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 3-6 months) 
  Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period 
  Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.
  A K-1 might be a better choice when 18-21 year old children are immigrating also
  In some situations, marriage can affect certain Home country benefits, making a K-1 a better choice 
  A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
  K-1 entrant cannot file for citizenship until after having Green Card for 3 years.
  Once an I-129F has been approved, delaying the case is difficult to impossible if the need arises.
 Current Presidential executive order (travel bans) don't allow K-1 visa holders from some countries to enter the US.

CR-1/IR-1
  Less expensive than K-1 
  No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required. 
  Spouse can immediately travel outside the US 
  Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival. 
  Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US 
  Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.
  Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
  The clock for citizenship filing starts immediately upon entry to the US.
  A CR-1/IR-1 case can be delayed indefinitely at NVC if the need arises. 
 Current Presidential executive order (travel bans) exempts immediate relatives (spouses) of US citizens.
   

 

1. Utah Online Marriage & CR1 Visa
Yes, a Utah online marriage can be recognized for a CR1 visa, but there's a very important catch:
👉 USCIS requires that the couple physically reunite and consummate the marriage after the online ceremony for the marriage to be considered valid under immigration law.
If you file the I-130 before physically being together after the wedding, the petition is likely to be denied.
2. CR1 Processing Time (Vietnam)
Current CR1 visa processing times, according to USCIS and community experience, are around 17+ months (sometimes longer).
So if you’re planning to bring her to the U.S. by mid-2026, the CR1 timeline may be tight — especially if you can’t reunite shortly after the Utah ceremony.
3. Proof of Relationship (Photos, etc.)
Even a small number of photos can work as long as they clearly show your relationship history — ideally:
At least one in-person photo together
Screenshots of video calls/chats
Travel receipts or gifts exchanged
Letters, emails, or messages
More is always better, but you don’t need a full album.
4. Shared Property / Joint Accounts
These are not required, but helpful if available.
For couples who are long-distance or haven't yet lived together, USCIS understands that some typical "marital" evidence may not exist — focus instead on consistent communication and any visits.
5. Important Things to Prepare
Evidence of your post-wedding reunion (flight plans, passport stamps, photos).
Keep a record of your communication (screenshots, call logs).
Any documents showing plans to live together (letters, lease prep, etc.)
6. Military Expedite
Yes, being active-duty can help.
USCIS may expedite I-130 petitions for active military members under certain conditions, such as:
Deployment schedule conflicts
Urgent family reunification
You’ll likely need a letter from your commanding officer explaining the request.
⚠️ Final Suggestion:
If your goal is to bring her to the U.S. sooner, a K-1 fiancée visa may be a better option. It typically takes 9–12 months, and doesn’t require you to marry first — just show you met in person within 2 years.
 
 

My opinions:
 
1.  Yes, if you meet either during or after the ceremony.
2.  I would check the VJ timelines.  It could take a couple years after filing the I-130.  Average time, according to data gathered here on VJ, is roughly 625 days from filing the I-130 to visa in hand.
3.  You don't need a great deal.  10 or 12, imo.
4.  No.  The best evidence is that evidence of time actually spent together.
5.  Read the guides for tips and processes.
6.  No, unless exceptional circumstances.
 
It will, likely, take more than a year just for the I-130.
Other members might have different opinions and answers.