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Marriage in China - Applications and Fees for U.S. Citizens
This article is to provide U.S. Citizens with a cost summary for the legal paperwork you will need if you are considering a marriage in China. I understand how confusing and difficult it can be to find current and correct information. After bringing my Chinese spouse to the United States in just under 8 months in 2005, and without the use of an attorney, it just became natural for us to help others who seek information and wish to bring a Chinese spouse to the U.S. The easiest way to understand the cost of a marriage in China is to look at before and after your spouse arrives in the United States.
Cost Before a Chinese Spouse Arrives in the U.S.
Before leaving the U.S. for a marriage in China you will need to have civil documents notarized and authenticated by your local and state government as well as by the Chinese Consulate/Embassy having jurisdiction over the state where you live along with a passport and visa. After arriving in China there will be a cost to register your marriage to your Chinese spouse, to translate documents first to Chinese then after the marriage to have all legal documents translated back into English and notarized. As soon as your marriage in China is complete you can file your first paperwork with USCIS, the I-130 Petition for Alien Relative followed by the I-129F Petition. The cost of this first phase of documents and fees will be about $875, give or take a little depending on the regional Chinese Civil Affairs office that processes your paperwork to register your marriage in China.
Cost After a Chinese Spouse Arrives in the U.S.
After your marriage in China and the arrival of your spouse in the U.S. there will be a medical examination order from USCIS, the Petition to file for Permanent Resident, and then finger printing. The cost of this second phase will be around $1430.00. If there is a child coming with your Chinese spouse that is under 14 years of age you can add $600. If the child is over the age of 14 and under 21 add $930.
Vaccinations and Immunizations
When a spouse, child, or fiancee enter the United States the required vaccinations and immunizations for starting school will eventually be necessary, as well as for the I-693 Medical Examination for Permanent Resident or Adjustment of Status. If there are any subway runner records of vaccinations and immunizations have them notarized and translated to English before your Chinese spouse, fiancee, or any child leaves China. This will save time, money and needless injections after your Chinese spouse arrives in the U.S.
Keeping Your Marriage in China Simple
There are many documents, applications, and fees involved before leaving the U.S. for a marriage in China. In the China Marriage and K3 Visa Guide I break down this paperwork process into small steps that are easy to follow. For many, this has given them the ability to feel confident when traveling to China to register their marriage to their Chinese spouse and to file the necessary petitions with U.S. Citizens and Immigration Service (USCIS). More importantly, they know what the cost will be up-front by filing their own paperwork.