Domestic Partnership to Marriage?

[CANUSDEAF]

Hello all!

I've been lurking for awhile now, reading the different things everyone has been posting. Seeing people celebrate their passport requests/landing... quite exciting!

My name's Nicole, I'm a Canadian citizen currently in the US for school with a student visa (I return home for Christmas/summer breaks), and am engaged to an American citizen. We both go to the same school, that's how we met and whatnot.

Anyways, I've had a question that probably has a really simple answer, that I'm just over analyzing ;D


My fiance and I already have domestic partnership (in Washington, DC). Googling will show the specifics, as I cannot post a link. One of these requirements is that we should live together for at least a year already/prove it. We've had this certification since December 8, 2010.

We both live on campus at our school, as the apartments in DC are out of our price range and the area isn't very safe to walk through. One of the requirements to get domestic partnership is to live together for a year first. Since the residence halls do not allow females and males to share a room, we had the person responsible for room assignments write a letter saying that we both live on campus. This was enough proof to get the domestic partnership.

1. As we needed to live together for a year first before domestic partnership, but have the certificate anyways... is that enough? Or, would we need to be certified for a year? Keeping in mind, this does not include proof that we live together, because we are still on a wait list to share a room on campus.

2. If we decide to get married soon, and he'd be mailing the application in May... would it be looked at as suspicious if we haven't been married long? What if the domestic partnership certification was combined as well, showing we've been domestic partners and then married?

The reason I ask is because we're both students, but we're ready to get married anyways. Neither of us believe in anything big and fancy (I told him when he was ready to propose he could with the wedding band itself, so that money wouldn't be wasted on another ring), so if they ask for pictures and whatnot, it'd be very simple. Our familes would know about the wedding, but neither side are in a position which allows them to attend.

Sorry if this is long, wanted to make sure the background was there for an answer of the best fit ;D

 

[brighton_travel]

are you planning to sponsor your future husband(fiance) to Canada?
if YES, then you should mail the application as a sponsor; but both of you have to fill out the forms.

 

[CANUSDEAF]

Yes, I plan to sponsor him.

We'd sent the application soon... but we're just not sure if getting married now would make anything look suspicious if we've been married for such a short time, etc. Would they ever care about that?

 

[Kedeisha]

I am married 1 week n plan to send my application when I get back to canada tomorow so I don't think the sooner after u get married n submit would mean anything

 

[candy_lite]

Hi,

Me and my husband has been married for nine months now here in the Philippines, we are having rough times. I just came back from Canada last July 20 as a tourist, since we are having problem I need to go back soon. I have some questions, I would appreciate any answer re this. Thanks in advance.

1. Will I be granted with another trv knowing I just got back from Canada last July 20? I will state that we are having marital problems and will come back in the Philippines with my husband after his work on December.

2. Is our marriage recognized in Canada even if the wedding was held here in the Philippines?

3. What are my rights as a wife even im here in the Philippines?

Thank you so much.

 

[canadianwoman]

Yes, I plan to sponsor him.

We'd sent the application soon... but we're just not sure if getting married now would make anything look suspicious if we've been married for such a short time, etc. Would they ever care about that?

Sending in the application shortly after marriage does not look suspicious per se. Waiting a long time with one spouse in Canada and one abroad does look suspicious.
Since you are not really living together, applying common law probably wouldn't work. You might be able to argue that since you are in a domestic partnership - which implies cohabitation - that means you do qualify as common-law, but the visa officer would most likely soon figure out you weren't actually living together. If you are ready to get married, do so. Even with a small ceremony, still try to make it look special and romantic - get dressed up, have a small dinner with your witnesses, etc.