Foreigner Marrying U.S. Citizen, in or Outside the U.S. Which is Less Complicated
Hello there
I am a South African citizen and my fiance is American and a soldier in the US Military.
We would like to get married in ASAP and in US or SA, it doesnt really matter, we are just looking for the fastest way we could be together
IF we choose to marry in South Africa and IF the minister in SA issues us a marriage license, i know it will be a legally recognised document in the States too, but what paperwork needs to be filed in SA and what in the USA??
The certificate thats been issued to us, what do we do with that from there onwards?
So before he comes to SA, what would he need to file in the States before SA and what paperwork can we file in SA? I have been reading about the K3 visa and the K1 visa, and the I 130 etc, so its all confusing me and I dont wana have to wait in SA for him like months on ends
Also, right after the marriage in SA, I do currently have a B -tourist visa, can i just fly back with him and adjust my status of visa in the USA
I would really appreciate some help as Im so confused as to what the proper step by step procedure is and we would like to get a head start
Thank you for your help in advance
Cassandra
Re: Foreigner Marrying U.S. Citizen, in or Outside the U.S. Which is Less Complicated
Yes, you can be married overseas. The US citizen can then take the foreign marriage documents to the embassy/consulate there and for a small fee have it authenticated. You then can apply for visas as the spouse of a US citizen.
Re: Foreigner Marrying U.S. Citizen, in or Outside the U.S. Which is Less Complicated
As active duty military, your fiance can get assistance with immigration issues from the USCIS's Military Helpline. There is a link to it on the USCIS's website.
Re: Foreigner Marrying U.S. Citizen, in or Outside the U.S. Which is Less Complicated
So for example, he is currently stationed in IRaq, after his tour is over, in about 2 or 3 months, when he comes to SA to marry me, all we need to do is take the marriage license/certificate, with the forms for K 3 petition and we both file it at the embassy in SA NOT in THE US?
If this is the case, once he leaves SA to get back to work in the states, will i have to wait in SA for the interview etc or can i go back with him??
Bear in mind i already have a B tourist visa?? not sure if that helps??
THANK u for your help and the time to read and reply to this