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Marriage Abroad
Traveling to a deserted island or a romantic Italian beach may
be a dream come true for someone desiring a marriage abroad.
Don’t assume that saying your I Do’s overseas will stand up
when you return to the US. Rules and regulations, as well as
marriage requirements in some countries, are below.
A marriage abroad must be performed by a local religious or
civil official. A consulate or diplomat from America is not
permitted to perform a marriage. You can receive an
authentication of a foreign marriage by visiting the US
consulate in the country. There is a fee for this, though it is
under $50. This validation will allow your marriage to be
recognized upon return to the US.
For a marriage to be considered valid, all rules of the country
hosting the wedding, rather than the US, must be followed. To
find the rules of marriage in the country, the best source of
information is the embassy or tourist information bureau in
that country. You can also write to the address below for
general information for some countries.
Overseas Citizens Services
Room 4811
Department of State
Washington, DC 20520
Some countries require that one or both parties be residents of
that country for a specified length of time. Many countries
have lengthy waiting period requirements as
well.
Be prepared to present a valid US passport and possibly a birth
certificate, divorce decree or death certificate (in the case
of previous marriages). Prepare these well in advance of your
nuptial trip, as some countries require that the US consulate
within that country prior to issuing a license authenticate the
documents. The authentication can take weeks or months and be
costly.
Unlike marriages in the United States, many marriages abroad
require proof of capacity to enter into the contract of
marriage. In essence, the competency of both parties is judged
and each party must swear that they are not legally married or
bound to another person. This is usually done by a consular
official in the country of your marriage abroad. There is often
a fee for this.
Be aware you may lose your US citizenship when you marry a
national of another country. While this is not always the case,
it is if you become naturalized in your spouse’s country.
You can obtain information for a spousal visa by contacting any
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, US embassies
and consulate offices or the Department of State Visa Office.
You can call them at 202-663-1225 or write to
Department of State Visa Office
Washington, DC 20520-0113
Marriage abroad in England and Wales requires a passport or
other identification although they prefer a birth certificate.
You must prove your name, address, marital status and
nationality. You will be required to reside in the UK for at
least 7 days in addition to the 15-day waiting period. Evidence
of divorce includes original, court-sealed divorce decree or
death certificate is required if married previously. There are
no blood or physical tests. Same sex marriages are prohibited,
as are common law and proxy marriages. Cousins may marry,
however. You can email for questions on marriage licensing in
the UK at marriages.gro@ons.gov.uk
Weddings in Ireland are a bit more
complicated than the rest of the UK. If you or your
spouse-to-be has been divorced, a written statement including
where you were raised, where you resided at the time of the
divorce, when and why the divorce took place is also required.
The divorced party may also need to obtain permission to marry
from their previous spouse. The Registrar must receive notice
of Marriage at least three months prior to marriage.
Regardless of where and when you are planning your wedding, if
you are planning a marriage abroad it is imperative you do your
research well in advance.
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