Wedding Questions

[rick43235]

Actually I don’t think you are required to adjust the status if under a K-1. The K-1 remains in effect with a valid marriage within 90 days of stepping foot in the nation. Many couples delay filing for the AOS because relocation cost eat up all their budgeted funds then Uncle Sam demands another grand just to file. The alien spouse just can’t get a social security card, assuming one was not gotten in the maiden name before the marriage in the 90 period, a green card, nor exit and renter the country without adjusting status. And upon the death of the citizen spouse the non adjusted alien spouse can be deported.

You’re right about the fees. It’s gotten crazy. My wife just applied for naturalization, and it was almost $700.

 

[lizaanne]

Depending upon travel cost about $4000 to $5000 over a traditional relationship.

But it’s not as if you have to write a check for that - it happens over time, and is a bit here and a bit there sort of thing. Not the greatest news, but it does make it a little easier to manage.

~Liza

 

[Diaconia]

The only detail would be that at the church the priest/deacon would not include the words “by the power vested in me by the State of whatever . . .” (which I really think we should get out of doing the State’s business anyway, but that’s a another thread).

Just to allay your fears, we don’t actually say those words now anyway. Nor do we ask the Father of the Bride, “who gives this woman in marriage?”

On more than one occasion I’ve explained those things to the wedding party at the rehearsal. “Just because you’ve seen it on TV or in the movies this way, doesn’t mean it is part of a Catholic wedding.”

The Church is interested in the sacramental union; the state defers the civic authority to marry to the minister (of any church).

Incidentally, it’s very common in Latin and South American countries to get married civilly first, and then have the real (Church) wedding a bit later. Some of that has to do with historical persecution of the Church, unfortunately.

I think the advice given by the first poster was sound, get married civilly for purposes of the visa and immigration; and then go through marriage prep with your parish here in the USA to have the marriage convalidated. All priests and deacons are familiar with this arrangment.

Obviously you should live as brother and sister (without marital relations) until you are sacramentally married.

God bless you both I will pray for your process to be quick and easy,