Advice on marrying an american citizen

CrillyRules

I am in a long distance relationship now for 3 years. I am an Irish national while she is american. We see each other about 3 times a year as well as the daily skype/inet/phones etc.

Going to america is not an option for me so we have decided we want to marry and live here. I work full time, she is college educated and works in an full time in U.S. In fact it is financially counter productive for her to move here but we are in love so don't care. I should add that we are 36 and 35 yrs old so although 3 years is not a long time, we would like to at least have the option of trying for a family.

We are planning to marry for about 1 year from now. I have read the other threads regarding this type of situation. One was out of date 2004 and the other was someone who was trying to keep a 6 month relationship going. Neither was absolutely helpful. I have visited the inis website however would appreciate any advice people have in terms of planning now. Also if anyone knows of any people who specialize in the area it would be helpful.

with thanks!

ABajaninCork

Have you spoken to the Dept of Foreign Affairs for advice? Think you need some sort of fiancee/spousal visa.

They'd be the best bet. Or find a solicitor specialising in immigration.

Gatica

I hope you can get some useful advice. The couples I know that were married to americans always emigrated. One couple went to Australia, both got decent jobs there. The other lasted bout 2 years in Ireland with his wife being unable to work here (I think he was english actually, the the rules are probably different for him), and then they ended up going to back to England. and another 2 of the guys moved to the states to where their future wives were working...
I hope you won't have to make those decisions.

MadsL

Start here > http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/WP07000024

Keep all correspondance, emails, letters, bills, photographs that prove you are in a relationship.

Marriage to an Irish national does not confer an automatic right of residence in the State.- Be aware that until your partner earns citizenship after three years there is no automatic right to live and work in Ireland, permission to remain can be removed at any point by GNIB.

Your partner will have to live in Ireland for three years to claim citizenship.

Important!! - Register at the Garda station or GNIB as soon as they arrive to get reckonable time towards citizenship.

If your partner is divorced, there is every chance that divorce will not be recognized by the Irish State.

Bring the 'long form' of Birth Certificate from the US plus run a checklist of what you will require to be originals or notarised copies. Photocopies of originals are worthless.

tatli_lokma

your fiance won't need a spousal/fiancee visa to enter Ireland, because she can be granted a visa on entry. Then once here, you can apply for spouse of an Irish national residence.

Citizenship is an option after 3 years, but it can take up to 26 mths for it to be granted. Having said that, in the vast majority of cases where a spousal residence permit is given a stamp 4 is issued and as long as you continue to be married, live together and don't come to the attention of the police, it is unlikely GNIB would revoke this permission. The only downside is queuing in Burgh Quay for a day each time you want a renewal - but if you live outside Dublin you might be able to avoid that torture and just apply to your local Immigration Garda.

CrillyRules

@ABanjaninCork, the solicitor is an option definitely although not sure its something for the dept of foreign affairs

@ Gatica, Yeah we do as well. For personal reasons leaving Ireland is not really an option at the moment

@Madsl, thanks for the practical information.

@Little Ted, queing once a year would not be a problem in the bigger scheme of things

Thanks you all, all advice is very much appreciated

tatli_lokma

CrillyRules wrote: »

@Little Ted, queing once a year would not be a problem in the bigger scheme of things

ahhhh you say that now!!!!!
Burgh quay SUCKS YOUR WILL TO LIVE! seriously. One of the worst places to have to spend hours waiting. Last time we were 6 hours waiting. We kept popping out for an hour here and there, thinking it can't be much longer surely, but we finally got seen at 6.30 and out by 7.
Hopefully you will be lucky and get 5 years straight off - we weren't so lucky and have had to endure 3 years of annual renewals. Fingers crossed this year we get the 5 years!

CrillyRules

Little Ted wrote: »

ahhhh you say that now!!!!!
Burgh quay SUCKS YOUR WILL TO LIVE! seriously. One of the worst places to have to spend hours waiting. Last time we were 6 hours waiting. We kept popping out for an hour here and there, thinking it can't be much longer surely, but we finally got seen at 6.30 and out by 7.
Hopefully you will be lucky and get 5 years straight off - we weren't so lucky and have had to endure 3 years of annual renewals. Fingers crossed this year we get the 5 years!

Yeah I can imagine, but remember you are getting into bed with you loved one tonight so..........

CrillyRules

Just an update for anyone here who might be interested,

Had to go the solicitor route. Even though the registrar thought it would be fine, it wasnt.

Got refused because my fiance could not prove she intended to stay in the state she applied for the divorce.
She moved states for work, which in the Irish law system is the same as moving country apparenlty.
Anyways it cost about 1500 in solicitors fees to find out we could not prove the unproveable as "intention" is not a concept that fits the legal arena.

Apparently if we bring it to court we will have no problem, except the 4k or so for the solicitor/barrister.

Being outside Dublin the immigration Gardai have been great, really helpful.

When we get to court ill come back and let you all know how it goes.

Billy Mills

Do not bother with the archaic rules of Irish divorce/ marriage. Go get married in the USA or even somewhere quick and easy like Gibraltar and the Irish State will be forced to recognise your marriage. The rules here are completely ridiculous and the hoops you have to jump through make it so much easier to get married elsewhere and show up w/ a marriage certificate from there. Trust me the Irish State will recognise this and you can start your life together going through normal immigration procedures.

ABajaninCork

You can married in the UK too if you want! 15 days notice, and trot off to Gretna Green!