I’m getting married in Colombia. Do I need to register my marriage with the Embassy? Will my marriage be recognized in the U.S.? (2024)

FAQs

I’m getting married in Colombia. Do I need to register my marriage with the Embassy? Will my marriage be recognized in the U.S.? ›

You are not required to report your marriage to the U.S. Embassy. In general, marriages that are legally performed and valid abroad are also legally valid in the United States.

The United States has no national registration of marriages, foreign or domestic. U.S. states recognize marriages performed in other states and in other countries. If your marriage was legally performed in the country or state where you got married, then the marriage is recognized in the United States.

Let's break down the process and shed light on what you need to know. In the United States, there isn't a National Registry or a formal process for registering foreign marriages. However, the U.S. government does recognize marriages that were legally binding in the country or state where they took place.

Registering Your Marriage with the Embassy or Consulate

While we are happy about your marriage and know that sometimes divorces are necessary, there is no need or requirement to inform us of either event. No U.S. state requires you to register either event with the Embassy or one of Consulates.

You will need to have the license signed by the officiant and witnesses at the wedding ceremony, and then return the signed license to the county clerk's office or other designated office within the required time frame to have the marriage officially recorded.

Marriage laws are established by individual states. There are two methods of receiving state recognition of a marriage: common-law marriage and obtaining a marriage license. Common-law marriage is no longer permitted in most states.

U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages in foreign countries. Depending on the law of the foreign country, local civil or religious officials generally perform marriages.

After marrying, go back to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate and authenticate your marriage certificate. The fee for authentication of the document is US$32.00. You may need to do notarized translation of the marriage certificate if its language is not English.

U.S. law does not recognize multiple marriages or polygamist marriages. If you live in the U.S., you can only have one legal spouse. Polygamy can be disqualifying for citizenship for foreign nationals immigrating to the United States.

Marriages performed overseas are valid in the country where they occur as long as they follow local law. Whether another country recognizes your foreign marriage depends on its own law. Getting married overseas can be time-consuming and expensive.

Does Texas recognize foreign marriages? ›

Texas law acknowledges foreign marriages, including those conducted in India, as long as they were legally performed and are recognized in the jurisdiction where they occurred. This recognition is crucial for proceeding with divorce actions in Texas courts.

Joint bank account statements showing the names of both spouses. Titles or deeds for jointly owned property (real estate or vehicles) Mortgage or loan documents showing joint responsibility for payments. Joint credit card statements showing the name of each spouse as either account holder or authorized user.

If you received residency by marrying a U.S. citizen and you are now divorced, you may only receive a two-year conditional green card instead of a 10-year green card. During the two years, your marriage may be investigated to ensure it was legit and was not only used to obtain a fraudulent green card.

The United States recognizes marriages abroad! If you're getting married in another country legally, you do have to check with your local county clerk, court, or records of marriages/births/deaths in order to submit any necessary paperwork to have it on their books as well.

In general, marriages which are legally performed and valid abroad are also legally valid in the United States. Inquiries regarding the validity of a marriage abroad should be directed to the attorney general of the state in the United States where the parties to the marriage live.

Immigration Eligibility Based on Engagement or Marriage

If you are a U.S. citizen, your new Colombian spouse becomes your "immediate relative" and may receive a green card as soon as the two of you make it through the application process.

Civil marriages are officiated by public notaries or civil judges. Foreigners may apply for a Colombian marriage visa provided they meet the necessary documentation requirements. Common law couples have similar legal rights as married couples, though the foreigner needs to wait at least one year to apply for the visa.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may bring your fiancé(e) to the United States to marry and live here, with a nonimmigrant visa for a fiancé(e) (K-1).