HELP. Marriage. Overstayed. How long should we wait after marriage to file it in?

S

smin

New Member
Hello, I am new to this. I have decided to join the forum because I have thought it would benefit me.
I have a girlfriend who is also my childhood friend. We have been together for more than 5 years in a relationship. We are thinking of getting married next year and decided to plan it little by little.

I am a bit confused on the matter of changing the status.
My girlfriend is born American. I came here legally when I was little. I overstayed for quite long time.

I am not sure what are the steps and if possible, I would like to take care of it rather than hiring an expensive attorney.

*Please tell me if these are the correct steps to it.*
STEPS:
1. Get marriage license then have a ceremony (To get the messy law stuff away)
-waiting time?-
2. File in papers accordingly to it.
Please note: I know all the files that I have to hand in.

=======================================
I would like to know is, How long should we wait to file it in?
My soon-to-be wife would like to go on a trip outside US as a late honey-moon gift.

Also, do age consider significant changes, for example like from 20s getting married and 30s getting married or the age differences? (I am 2 years older than her)

So again, how long should we wait to file it in? Right away? 1-2 years? 3-5 years? (specifics are more better for me, thank you)

Please note that our marriage is not a fraud or any of that sort. If possible, I would like to do right away so we can go on our Honey-Moon and not prolonged it.

Thank you and everyone have a nice day.
 
Most of your answers are already in the sticky's and also in other posts, some effort on your part will answer all of them!
Depending upon which state you are in the process of getting a marraige license and getting a civil ceremony presided by a judge will vary, bing it for your state and you will have your answer. Make sure you take pics of the civil ceremony and have as much of your family and friends attend as possible.
Within 90 days of the civil ceremony you can file your paperwork.
 
There is no set time to wait before filing. Ninety days is reasonable unless you already have a lot of initial evidence i.e. joint account, joint utility bills, joint insurance, same address, etc.

All the best!
 
thank you, i am still new to using this. I am quite unsure how to use it yet. Sorry if i asked a redundant question. I was actually asking the not the law set time but the highest chance of getting approve.

I understand there are people who are frauds and tries to get it fast as possible.
I do not want to be misunderstood by interviewers thinking we are fraud.

So, I was thinking if it is best to wait like one year or more to give them that we are not fraud and such.
About having joint account, ofcourse our accounts are already joint in such as living together and recieving mail in same places and such.

I apologize to get mixed up. I did search those things. I was asking in more of couple who had experience in it. Couple who file it under 2 years and couple who file it over 2 years and the rate of getting approval.

I have heard that couples who are under 2 years of marriage are more likely to be suspicion of fraud and does more tedious interview than couples who are over 2 years of marriage.

If there is some sort of rate, we do not want to be judged or seen suspicious and want to do it as clean and accurate as possible. Thank you.
 
smin said:
I have heard that couples who are under 2 years of marriage are more likely to be suspicion of fraud and does more tedious interview than couples who are over 2 years of marriage.
Click to expand...

Those who have been married for at least 2 years would get a 10-year unconditional green card upon approval, whereas marriage for less than 2 years would result in a 2-year conditional card, followed by another round of paperwork and scrutiny of the marriage to extend it to a 10-year card.

In your case, it makes no sense to wait for 2 years of marriage because you are deportable. The longer you wait, the greater the chances of getting caught and deported. Since you are already living together with joint accounts and such, you should apply for the green card as soon as you have the marriage certificate in your hand.
 
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