pookiki

Please see the section on validity of marriages abroad.

While 'foreign' marriages may be recognized in the US for immigration and visa purposes, a foreign marriage does not constitute being legally married in the US. Each State regulates marriage requirements. I am speaking from both personal experience and discussions with more than one immigration lawyer. I am afraid that you don't understand the legal requirements of having a marriage recognized in the US when you marry abroad. A visa from INS does not create a recognized marriage in the US. All you have to do is google 'how do I legalize a foreign marriage in ____ State and see what you get. If you don't want to listen to my opinions and advice, it's no skin off my nose. Take care, However, once you are married in one State, this marriage will be recognized by all other States because of reciprocity agreements. Obviously, you don't have to marry, again, just because you move from one State to another.

What type of visa did you obtain for your wife to go to the US? I think you must have processed an 'immediate relative' visa for her to enter -- right? The fact that she has a green card does not mean your marriage is recognized in the US. She is entitled to the green card because of her visa status. You have to register your marriage in the State in which you reside to be legally married in the US. Marriage is regulated by each State not by the federal government.

Based on my current knowledge of your situation, the only way to have your marriage registered is to do it in the State where you are considered a resident. To get your wife to the USA to do this, you would need to apply for an 'immediate relative' visa which could take quite some time. Once the both of you are in the US, then you could have your marriage recognized in the State where you reside. The process for this varies from State to State.

Correct -- my mistake.

About 3:05 PM.

I forgot to get a copy of the form before I left -- sorry. No screen shot available.

Other than arriving at 0900 and getting a queue number of 115 that meant a long wait, all my documents were in order except a new one was added when an initial check of my documents were made - see attached. Documents submitted: Copies of passport page with all previous visas, latest entry stamp, and front and back of departure card Receipt for the most recent 90 day report TM 30 Signed and dated overstay forms - one new form added see attached Computer generated map of my apartment location Insurance documents for the period covering the extension of stay Credit advice letter from BBL and Letter verifying my account balance - one day old Copy of my bankbook pages for the previous year and an updated balance made for today's visit Provided original bankbook for examination Although the bank documents are required, the immigration officer seemed much more interested in the copies of the bankbook that I had made and thoroughly examined that bankbook, as well. The attachment to this post was reduced to one page and I had to sign for receipt. It would appear that the sole purpose of this form is to obliterate and attempt by persons doing extensions of stay to rely on the 'combination' method of money in the bank and sufficient monthly transfers from abroad to equal 800,000 baht. At any rate, I would never recommend that anyone attempt the 'combo' method at CW. Waiting area was very crowded and limited number of people could enter. One can track the progress of the queue by downloading the QR on a smart phone or by peering through the windows from the outside. 1112337993_Policeorder35-2562changeof327-2557clasue2.22(Eng).pdf

Wonderful! Thanks for this information.

If you are going to Chaeng Wattana, I believe that they are saying that you cannot go to process an extension of stay more than three days before the extension expires. Any change to that?