Ceremonies date different from Marriage

[sasha_kooley]

I got married recently to a USC and am planning to apply for GC. All the ceremonies and rituals with the family were performed in my native country. However we did not get any paperwork / proof of marriage since we were asked to pay bribe ( extra money ) to get marriage certificate or else they would delay it. Hence both my wife and I decided to perform ceremonies there and come to US and get it legalized. So we did not get any kind of paperwork done in my native country. We went to court here in US a month and got legally married last week.

I am planning to apply for my GC through her. Do you think there would be a problem now or in future just because we got married here legally, but ceremonies were performed in other country. I am not planning to play the system, just did not want to give into the wrong practice of bribing.

[jain_pk]

Senior Members might know more

I think it should be ok, but don't have much info.Senior members might be able to help you.

[Arcticfox]

A marriage is valid if it meets all the requirements of the laws that govern the place where the marriage took place.

So the question is after you underwent all the ceremonies in your native country, would you be recognized as married by that country's government? Doesn't sound like since you can't even get a marriage certificate, so the Immigration Service government wouldn't recognize that marriage.

However, since you did legally obtain an marriage certificate in the U.S., the US marriage would definitely be recognized by the Immigration Service and it's likely the date on that certificate would be regarded as your date of marriage.

I am planning to apply for my GC through her. Do you think there would be a problem now or in future just because we got married here legally, but ceremonies were performed in other country. I am not planning to play the system, just did not want to give into the wrong practice of bribing.