How to Marry a Non-U.S. Citizen in the U.S.
Love is not determined by international borders or varying customs, but by the will of two people. Plenty have walked through an American alter with a bride or groom who was not a citizen from the United States. The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services work in conjunction to provide a path for American citizens to bring their fiance to the United States for marriage.
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Things You'll Need
- USCIS Form I-129F
- USCIS Form DS-156
- USCIS Form I-485
- Passport photos
- Birth certificate
Instructions
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Build a relationship with the person you love. A requirement for being granted a Petition for Alien Fiance is that you have met at least once in the previous two years. You will also be required to attend an interview with a consulate official who will inquire about the relationship to ensure no fraud is occurring.
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File a Petition for Alien Fiance (Form I-129F). The petition must be filled out by the fiance who is an American citizen. Along with this form you will submit a copy of a birth certificate as proof of U.S. citizenship, evidence you have met your fiance in the last two years, statements from both parties about the intent to marry and passport photos of each of you. The National Visa Center will process the petition, and send it to the overseas consulate you request.
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Complete the Non-immigrant Visa for a Fiance (Form DS-156), and submit to the U.S. Consulate where the Petition for Fiance Visa was sent. After your petition has been approved, the standard procedures for issuing a visa to a foreign national apply. The entire visa packet needs to contain two visa applications, two passport photographs, birth certificate, police certificate, proof of financial support and fee. A medical exam and digital fingerprints will need to be completed as well. The final step is an interview with a consulate official who will determine the legitimacy of the marriage.
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Marry in the United States within 90 days after arrival. The K-1 visa is only valid for 90 days, and a change of status to permanent residence must be completed before the visa expires. To change the status from fiance visa to permanent resident you will need to complete Form I-485.
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Tips & Warnings
You can marry your fiance overseas, and file a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) to receive an immigrant visa.
Two exceptions exist for the rule requiring couples to have met at least once in the last two years: financial or medical hardships or another country's customs disallows couples to meet beforehand.
References
Resources
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