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Marriage certificate in May. Official celebration in October?


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So as some of you may know, I finally officially proposed in February. We took a little bit to think about how to go about the process of getting married, and immigration. We decided it would be best to do it in China as it would be easier for her family to attend.

We wanted to do it in May, but her cousin is getting married that month, and we don't want to hypothetically steal their thunder in a sense. So we were thinking of getting our certificate in May "essentially a courthouse marriage" dressing up a bit, and having a small, but nice dinner with some family members as a proto-celebration. I will then return to the United States, file for her Immigration Via CR-1, and return in October to have an official celebration and ceremony. By the time her interview comes we will have had the ceremony, and have some nice pics and so on.

My question, do you think this may raise any eyebrows in the embassy? Would this create any problems?

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That should pose no problem, many have done a light wedding to make legal so can file a petition and later have a big reception either in the states, China or both.

 

When you file a petition make not of the plans on your EOR letter.

 

My wife and I had an engagement party in China shortly before her K-1 interview, and then a small wedding in court house in my home town in order to file AOS, and later had a reception months later.

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Not a problem, this is exactly how my wife and I did the wedding. We went to the marriage bureau and got our marriage certificates and had a small wedding dinner with family and took lots of photos in July of 2009. I filed the CR-1 when I retruned to the US and I then went back in Dec of 2009 and had the big wedding reception, something I will remember for the rest of my life!!!

 

So I don't think you need to worry, just take some photos to send with your petition when you file.

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We did the same exact thing too. Wedding in the marriage bureau, small dinner with immediate family for photos, and then I came back to file in the states. Only I waited 15 months before filing and my wife got a 10 year green card upon entering the US.

 

You won't have any problem doing as you say. So many people do those very steps that it's a routine thing.

 

You guys will be fine.

 

tsap seui

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  • 3 weeks later...

Getting Married in China


To legally get married in China, you will gather the required documents and present them to the appropriate Chinese authorities. Any ceremony is optional.

Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. - Marriage Registration in China (includes a sample single affidavit)


The one from the Embassy doesn't seem to be there anymore - this is from the Houston consulate - http://houston.china...age/jh.htm#aoss

But Visa Express gives this example - http://www.visaexpre...inglestatus.htm

Your choice

The required documents may be certified in China by taking them to a consulate/Embassy. The documents may be ready in time to get married (register) that same day. In the states, it must be notarized then sent to your state's department of state for notarization...then sent to the Chinese consulate

Foreign-Related Marriage And Divorce In China

Getting the single certificate in China is faster and can be easier, since all you have to do is show up at your Consulate with the documents. In the US, it would require several mailings. Again - your choice.

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Easiest thing for you to do is go to the American consulate closest to you when you are in China. You'll need to make an appointment with them online and get your single certificate from them. I did that very thing.

 

Never been married before? Looking at your avatar I'd figure a handsome guy like you had a trail of divorces under his belt. :sweating_buckets:

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