Marriage Certificate

[Milind123]

First of all congratulations to all who can file I-485. We already have a thread discussing birth certificate. I would like to start a new thread for Marriage Certificate. Here is my peculiar situation.

Our marriage was not registered and my wife uses her maiden name. How do we prove we are married to each other? We do have something issued by the priest stating we were married on such and such date with our full name, date of birth, parents name etc. etc.
Is this document sufficient?

[anilsal]

Originally Posted by Milind123

First of all congratulations to all who can file I-485. We already have a thread discussing birth certificate. I would like to start a new thread for Marriage Certificate. Here is my peculiar situation.

Our marriage was not registered and my wife uses her maiden name. How do we prove we are married to each other? We do have something issued by the priest stating we were married on such and such date with our full name, date of birth, parents name etc. etc.
Is this document sufficient?

I do not think your wife retaining her maiden name is an issue. Try to get your marriage by the priest registered in India and get a formal Marriage Certificate. The letter from the priest can be used by the Indian Marriage Registrar to register the date of marriage.

Typically, if the marriage has happened within 2 years of 485 filing, then USCIS can ask for personal interview, where you have to show marriage pictures and other proof. Also you are better off having proof like joint bank accounts, proof of ownership of property under both the names, life insurance with the other as beneficiary etc. I am guessing if you have been living at the same address for sometime, some neighbors can provide a statement saying that they have seen you living at your residence for the period of X to Y. Remember to wear marriage rings on the day of interview.

[Milind123]

Originally Posted by janilsal

I do not think your wife retaining her maiden name is an issue. Try to get your marriage by the priest registered in India and get a formal Marriage Certificate. The letter from the priest can be used by the Indian Marriage Registrar to register the date of marriage.

Typically, if the marriage has happened within 2 years of 485 filing, then USCIS can ask for personal interview, where you have to show marriage pictures and other proof. Also you are better off having proof like joint bank accounts, proof of ownership of property under both the names, life insurance with the other as beneficiary etc. I am guessing if you have been living at the same address for sometime, some neighbors can provide a statement saying that they have seen you living at your residence for the period of X to Y. Remember to wear marriage rings on the day of interview.

Thanks for the info. Also kids were born here and their BC has our names (even though it does not prove we were married). I will try to get a formal marriage certificate from India while I am arranging my BC.

[ArunAntonio]

I was in the similar situation and out attorney advised that two affidavits one from each parent stating the facts of the marriage should be sufficient.
The affidavits should have
- Full name of the parent
- DOB of the parent
- Place of living
- Your full name , dob, place of birth
- spouses full name , dob, place of birth
- spouses parents full name.
- date of marriage and place of marriage.

Originally Posted by Milind123

First of all congratulations to all who can file I-485. We already have a thread discussing birth certificate. I would like to start a new thread for Marriage Certificate. Here is my peculiar situation.

Our marriage was not registered and my wife uses her maiden name. How do we prove we are married to each other? We do have something issued by the priest stating we were married on such and such date with our full name, date of birth, parents name etc. etc.
Is this document sufficient?