Delayed wedding ceremony

[FLRussianHubby]

What is the name of your state? Florida

As has been discussed in a previous message, my girlfriend and I are planning on getting married soon. We are rushing things along a bit because of her immigration status. I come from a rather "traditional" family and getting married as soon as we are might not go over very well. (we've been together about 3 1/2 months now) In addition, wedding planning tends to take a while, considering the size and locations of my family and the fact that her family is entirely in Russia. So, we are going to do a "court house" marriage for now. What we would like to do is do the license and court "ceremony" now. We do plan on living together within a couple of months of the court ceremony, but due to current the real estate (apartment) situation down here right now, it could take a little while to find a suitable place. Then, a year or so from now, we plan on announcing our plans to marry and do the "real" ceremony (probably a church wedding), with all of the family, friends, etc (including, hopefully, having her parents being present). This is neither of our first choice of how to do it, but, given her status, we really have no choice if she is to be able to stay (the 10-year exclusion rule does apply to her).

So, my question is, does anyone know if there are any issues with doing it this way?

We totally intend this to be a real marriage, but it is also very important to us that my family is supportive of our decisions. They really like her, and they have no issues with her and I living together, but this is too soon for them to accept, and my mother would insist on a big "traditional" wedding ceremony (which would take too long to plan).

Trying to keep everyone happy.....

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

So, if she is here (in the US) now and she entered the US lawfully, if you get married (even if it is just a civil ceremony), you will be able to petition for her permanent residence within the US and she would be able to adjust status to permanent residence in the US. The processing times will depend on what office has jurisdiction over the place of residence.

Lana
Immigration Attorney

 

[FLRussianHubby]

So, if she is here (in the US) now and she entered the US lawfully, if you get married (even if it is just a civil ceremony), you will be able to petition for her permanent residence within the US and she would be able to adjust status to permanent residence in the US. The processing times will depend on what office has jurisdiction over the place of residence.

Lana
Immigration Attorney

Hey Lana. Thanks for the reply, but I guess I was not quite clear on the question. (you answered a question on this before for me, but it was under a different screen name--I had mine changed because I found that Google searches with my username went right to these threads and I'm trying to keep this anonymous from my family for now! To refresh: I was the one asking about travel documents and the fact that her J-1 is expired, about a week ago).

I'm not sure whether this is actually the correct forum. What I really was interested in knowing is if there was any known issues with having a church marriage ceremony a year or so after having an actual marriage license and courtroom marriage. Not really relating so much to immigration--I think you answered our questions quite well on that matter and will heed your advice--more to Florida laws relating to the marriage ceremony (and maybe even some personal accounts on how churches feel about this?). Ie, are there any Florida or Federal laws that would come in the way of us getting married "officially" in a courtroom and then a year or so later having a "real" wedding in a church?

Sorry if this is not quite the right forum--I posted it here because of the underlying immigration issue would possibly make the thread more of a "flame-fest" over on the marriage law forum. If you feel this question is misplaced, I'll re-post it over there.

Also, I apologize in advance if this is a dumb question with an obvious answer, but I'm just a little bit new to marriage (I never really gave it much thought before now!)

 

[Snipes5]

My response has nothing to do with the Immigration side of things, as I know nothing on the subject.

I can tell you though, that in this country, people do this all the time; get married at the courthouse and then have a large wedding later on at their convenience.

I personally have had three separate weddings to the same person. A "Vegas" wedding (the legal one), a larger wedding for family a few months later, and a special religious ceremony 5 or 6 years later.

The government does not care, provided you only marry one person at a time.

Snipes

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

All that matters is that the marriage is lawful for immigration process to go forward. A civil ceremony is what makes the marriage lawful. A church wedding is not a prerequisite and you can have that at anytime in the future with your family. The USCIS will not question why you did not have that at the beginning.

Lana
Immigration Attorney

 

[enjay]

Won't it seem a bit odd to immigration that these two people have a civil ceremony yet live apart in the same city for at least several more months?

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

I would not suggest filing the application until after the two are living at the same location. It would seem that the two of you can live in one of your apartments until you can find a good place for both. THat would be advisable for filing the petition.

Lana
Immigration Attorney