From: fester@island.COM (Mike Fester)
Subject: Re: Marriage Logistics
Organization: /usr/local/rn/organization
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 15:38:10 GMT

In article <6827@bigbird.hri.com.hri.com> blamb@rodan.hri.com (Bill Lambert) writes:


Just a couple of expansions on a couple of points.

>First case - Marriage in Japan: The procedure is different than here. A
>marriage isn't made by an official at a ceremony or service but would be
>done by the Japanese member of the couple making a new "family register"
>(a family register is the official documentation of people in Japan,
>and is a combination birth, marriage and death certificate that
>is associated with one household).

>The procedure (as I understood it, anyway) is a little different if
>one of the partners is gaijin, in that a ceremony must take place
>first and registration must be done at one of a few places - one
>of them being Minato-ku City Hall. 

I don't think you actually need any sort of ceremony first (at least, some
friends of mine got married without having to have a church ceremony; they
simply registered in her family register). Also, when my wife and I went to
register, I wasn't required to sign anything! I guess you can just be registered
without your knowledge!

>After you are legally married in Japan, then presentation of the
>proper documention to support that fact to INS (certified copies
>of family register and official translations done by the Japan
>consulate) should be sufficient to attain US permanant resident
>status provided there are no other disfavorable factors (disease,
>membership in subversive organizations, drug addiction - all that
>stuff everybody has).

The Japanese party also has to get a copy of his/her police record and present
that to the embassy. (also, a complete physical is required).

>Second case - Fiance(e) Visa: You apply for this visa category at
>the U.S. embassy in Tokyo. It's a fairly painless, by sometimes
>lengthy procedure as I understand it. I believe this allows your
>fiance(e) 6 months stay in the US during which time it is presumed
>you two will marry and apply for PR status for the non-US honeymooner.

Does anyone know if you must provide the same documentation as in Case 1
above? I'd imagine you do, and this may be part of the delay.

>Third Case - Tourist Visa: When you're ready, have your fiance(e)
>come to the US and just get married. I did this. 

>What's the difference with case 2 and 3? Well.... just the INS seems
>to like 2 better and you avoid the question of whether you are just
>getting married so that the alien spouse can stay in the U.S. ala
>"Green Card" movie. I was married this way, and had to face the
>inquisition during the permanent residence procedure. The fiance(e)
>visa is less painful, after you get it.

Does anyone know if there is a "change of visa status" procedure from 
tourist to fiance'?

>Permanent residency takes a few months to acquire. You must have all the
>documents - and translated if needed, a physical exam, a couple of hundred
>bucks, and a little patience. I believe the usual case is to get a final
>interview for approval  1-3 months after filing the papers and having
>the physical exam. It might take 3 - 4 trips to the INS. Please note
>that your fiance will have trouble getting work (if they're so inclined)
>without PR status, so plan on 2-4 month vacation for them.

Actually, including the examine and all documentation, we spent about $70.
Also, the permanent residence is probationary. In 2 years, your spouse will
get the permanent, permanent resident card.

>As to which way is better, it may depend on your proximity to the civil
>organizations mentioned, and which of the intended has more time and/or
>inclination to do the leg work. As far as the INS is concerned, there
>is not much difference in where you were married, except for the 
>requirement for translations. Don't let this be a factor, and make sure
>you get married officially in both countries anyway. The order doesn't
>matter so much.

>By the way, Mitch.... congratulations!

Ditto.

Mike
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