Marriage on B1/B2 Visa -- Petty Theft... How long will it take?

[ric91]

I met my boyfriend in the summer of 2009. During this time we got to know each other and decided to officially be in a relationship 2 years later (2011). My boyfriend is American and he moved to Arkansas to be with me in June 2012 and we lived together from then until October 2013, when I left the U.S. (I was on an F-1 visa during this time). In December 2011 I was arrested for shop lifting and I was changed with a misdemeanor and fined. I paid my fine and I have a copy of the court disposition. We want to get married right away but he is in school so he suggested I visit him on my B1/B2 visa and we get married then. My name is still on the lease of the apartment he is living in, we have tons of pictures together, we have joint ownership of a car and lots of conversations so I am not worried about providing documents. I'm worried about the criminal offense. Would it make the green card process longer and if so how long will it take?

[rayb]

IF you Adjust your status in the U.S., the petty theft will come up after you do Biometrics and are fingerprinted. The resulting FBI database check will bring up the offense. You need to be prepared to provide copies of the police, court and dispositional records. During your interview, the decision of approval or recommendation that you reapply at some future date will be discretionary.

--Ray B

I met my boyfriend in the summer of 2009. During this time we got to know each other and decided to officially be in a relationship 2 years later (2011). My boyfriend is American and he moved to Arkansas to be with me in June 2012 and we lived together from then until October 2013, when I left the U.S. (I was on an F-1 visa during this time). In December 2011 I was arrested for shop lifting and I was changed with a misdemeanor and fined. I paid my fine and I have a copy of the court disposition. We want to get married right away but he is in school so he suggested I visit him on my B1/B2 visa and we get married then. My name is still on the lease of the apartment he is living in, we have tons of pictures together, we have joint ownership of a car and lots of conversations so I am not worried about providing documents. I'm worried about the criminal offense. Would it make the green card process longer and if so how long will it take?

[ric91]

What forms would I have to file?

IF you Adjust your status in the U.S., the petty theft will come up after you do Biometrics and are fingerprinted. The resulting FBI database check will bring up the offense. You need to be prepared to provide copies of the police, court and dispositional records. During your interview, the decision of approval or recommendation that you reapply at some future date will be discretionary.

--Ray B

Thank you. Do you know which forms I would have to file if I adjust my status in the U.S.? Do I have to file both the I-30 and the I-485?

[rayb]

I-130, I-485, G-325A, I-765, I-131, I-864, with $1,070 and $420 checks, supporting documents.

--Ray B

Thank you. Do you know which forms I would have to file if I adjust my status in the U.S.? Do I have to file both the I-30 and the I-485?