Getting Married Through the Courthouse?
 

Dreamers,

My fiancée and I are planning to get married through the catholic church late 2019. She mentioned yesterday that in order to get the ball rolling on my legalization process, she suggested that we get married through the courthouse in the upcoming months. I am EWI, so I know the process will take longer.

Would getting married through the courthouse raise a significant red flag, that may compromise our chances of going through the legalization process? Our marriage will be 100 percent legitimate; we have sufficient evidence to back that up. We've been together for almost 3 years.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Re: Getting Married Through the Courthouse?
 

No, go for it!

As long as you can prove the relationship is bona fide, you're good. If you get a chance, at the very least, take a bunch of pictures at the courthouse with you, her, and her family, etc.

You are correct. The process is stupidly slow at the moment, so it is a good idea to get the ball rolling.

Good luck!

Re: Getting Married Through the Courthouse?
 

My sister got married at the courthouse and she didn't have any issues, they had a 1 year old child though and they are an interracial couple. You should be fine, from what i have read red flags for the official unclude: big age differences, interracial marriages, lack of documentation proving you guys live together, one person having kids.

I would be more concern about your EWI, you might need a waiver which might be hard to get depending on your situation.

Re: Getting Married Through the Courthouse?
 

Awesome. Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to share that with her.

Yeah we have a good amount of documentation and pictures dating back to 2015 when we started dating.

Yeah, the EWI thing is the obstacle and I know it can take up to two years. I don't have any criminal history..not even a parking/speeding ticket. We are the same age; both latinos, and no kids.

Thanks for sharing your insight!

Re: Getting Married Through the Courthouse?
 

Plenty of friends who are both legal have married through the courthouse. People do it all the time.
Out of curiosity, can people with EWI get the GC? I know about the waiver, but that works better when you have children who depend on you. Any other routes to do it?

Re: Getting Married Through the Courthouse?
 

From what I've heard, you'd have to emphasize the emotional/psychological (maybe financial?) distress your absence will cause the USC in question. I know having a kid would help in that regard.

Maybe someone with more info can chime in. I'll be doing some more research on this, so we can prepare.

Re: Getting Married Through the Courthouse?
 

A lot of people get married at city hall, I did and it was never questioned.

Re: Getting Married Through the Courthouse?
 

I got married at the city hall and it was the best 35 bucks well spent.

Re: Getting Married Through the Courthouse?
 

Marry at the courthouse and have a larger ceremony later. The wife and I decided on that.

Weddings are very expensive.

Re: Getting Married Through the Courthouse?
 

First congratulations on your engagement! My husband and I got married at the courthouse, we sent our application in 2 months later and I received my Green Card 7 months after we sent in our application. It is fine.