Marriage Abroad (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to register my marriage in the U.S. if I get married abroad? ›

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.

Think of responses like: ”We're still getting to know each other.” ”Our relationship is strong, and we don't want to rush or put pressure on each other.” ”We're focusing on other things right now, like getting my business off the ground.”

At the interview with the registrar, you will be asked questions about yourself and your partner; full names and any other names you or your partner may use or have been known by, date of birth, whether you or your partner have been through any form of marriage or civil partnership before in this or any other country, ...

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.

State courts in the United States may divorce couples that were married abroad even if the cause for the divorce occurred abroad, but only if one of the spouses is domiciled in (or at least a resident of) the forum state at the time the divorce action is commenced.

The interview before the ceremony

The registrar is legally required to interview you both before the ceremony. They are checking that all your details are correct on the Marriage Schedule before it is signed, and that you are still free and willing to go ahead with the marriage or civil partnership.

At the interview, questions will typically focus on the history of your relationship, your day-to-day activities as a married couple, and your future plans together. The interview is also an opportunity for you to present extra evidence to prove the authenticity of your marriage.

Contracting marriage vows

Modern - I (your full legal name), take you (your partner's full legal name) to be my wedded wife/husband. Simplified - I (your full legal name) take thee (your partner's full legal name) to be my wedded wife/husband.

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.

How do I register my marriage in the US? ›

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.

You need to pay a license fee to your county clerk for the marriage license. You can then proceed with your ceremony. The officiant must file your marriage certificate with the county recorder's office. The recorder will send you a certified copy of your certificate.

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).

No. If you get married in the United States, you must apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to adjust status in order to become a Permanent Resident.

The answer is the couple cannot be legally married without a marriage license present. If the Officiant performs the wedding ceremony without a valid marriage license they have committed a misdemeanor.