What is a Marriage Interview?
When a U.S. citizen marries a non-U.S. citizen, the couple will have to participate in a marriage interview so the non-U.S. citizen can obtain permanent residency. The marriage interview is used to assist the immigration authorities in determining the legitimacy of the marriage. How is the Interview Conducted?
Generally, the interview is conducted by an immigration official and one spouse at a time. The U.S. citizen will be interviewed first, and then the spouse will be asked the same questions. The official will try and confirm that you and your spouse are in fact living as married couple would. What Will We Be Asked?
The questions you will be asked will depend on your individual circumstances. Some areas the questions will cover include: - Personal information about your spouse ¿ This will include their date of birth, location of birth, and the name of their parents. You may be asked to describe their body, scars and tattoos. They may be as obscure as how your spouse likes their coffee.
- How you met and questions about your relationship before getting married ¿ You may be asked if you lived together before getting married.
- Details about the wedding ¿ Questions will include ones covering who was in attendance, where was it held, what was the weather like, and were rings exchanged.
- Where you lived after getting married ¿ You may be asked to describe that first residence in detail. Questions can be as detailed as when and where garbage is picked up.
- What you did before the interview ¿ Questions may include what time you woke up, who woke up first, and what was for breakfast.
Do I Need a Lawyer for my Marriage Interview?
Even if you have been together for years, the questions you may be asked during a marriage interview are endless. An experienced immigration attorney can help you prepare by conducting mock interviews and suggest techniques. An immigration lawyer also can recommend documents that will aid your interview. |
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