Does New York Recognize Foreign Marriages?

In the State of New York, the Clerk of New York City will not register marriages celebrated in jurisdictions outside of New York City. However, that does not mean the marriage is invalid, but it will not be registered in New York. Any legally celebrated marriage anywhere in the world is recognized in the United States.

Will the US government recognize my foreign marriage?

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.

Do I have to register my marriage in the US 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.

Does New York State recognize foreign divorces?

New York, unlike many other states in the United States, will recognize a divorce decree issued in a foreign country, which is not the domicile of either spouse, provided the following requirements are met: both spouses must receive adequate notice.

How do you validate a foreign marriage in the US?

If you get married abroad and need to know if your marriage will be recognized in the United States and what documentation may be needed, contact the office of the Attorney General of your state of residence in the United States. You can get information on obtaining a visa for a foreign spouse here.

What marriages are not recognized in US?

USCIS will not recognize (even if valid in the place it was celebrated): polygamous relationships; underage marriages; civil unions, domestic partnerships, or other such relationships not recognized as marriages in the place of celebration; proxy marriages where one person was not present during the ceremony; and

How do I register my marriage in New York?

Couples can now apply for a Marriage License in person or online at www.nyc.gov/cupid. In-person Marriage Licenses are issued by appointment only, and couples must arrive on time. Late arrivals may not be admitted. The fee for a Marriage License is $35 by credit card or money order payable to the City Clerk.

What happens when a U.S. citizen marries a non U.S. citizen?

Once you marry, your spouse can apply for permanent residence and remain in the United States while we process the application. If you choose this method, file a Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e). Filing instructions and forms are available on our Web site at www. uscis.

How do I register my marriage in USA?

To complete an application for a marriage license, one or both spouses must appear in person at a courthouse, city hall, or town office and sign the marriage license application in the presence of the clerk (along with payment of a fee). The marriage license is either mailed or picked up by the couple.

Can I go to U.S. as a tourist and get married?

The short answer is: yes, you can get married in the US while on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa or on a visa waiver program. There is nothing in the regulations that say individuals who are in the US as visitors cannot get married.

Do I need to register my foreign divorce in us?

Most divorces finalized abroad are valid in the U.S. only if the couple files it in an acceptable manner in the state of residence where each party lives along with any necessary documentation and processes that the state requires.

Is your foreign marriage or divorce valid in the US?

Will a foreign divorce be recognized in the United States? A foreign judgment of divorce generally is recognized in a state in the United States on the basis of legal reciprocity where both parties had notice of the divorce proceeding and an opportunity to be heard within these proceedings.

Can you divorce in USA if married abroad?

The short answer: Yes, you may get a divorce here in the U.S. even if you were married abroad.

Does Embassy verify marriage certificate?

The Embassy attests/verifies/authenticates documents such as educational diplomas, Marriage Certificate, Celibacy Certificate, Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, business and other documents.

Does marriage automatically make you a U.S. citizen?

If you marry a U.S, citizen, you won’t be eligible for U.S. citizenship right away. But you might become eligible for a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence), which can lead to U.S. citizenship.

Do you automatically become a U.S. citizen through marriage?

A spouse married to a U.S. citizen will not automatically be a U.S. citizen after they get married. While in marital union, you will need to go through the naturalization process. Becoming a U.S. citizen through marriage starts off the same way most paths to naturalization start: by getting a green card.

Which type of marriage is legally recognized in the United States?

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.

What makes a marriage invalid?

A marriage can be annulled only when the law considers your marriage either void or voidable. Examples of void marriages—unions that aren’t legal to begin with—are where there’s bigamy or incest. An example of a voidable marriage is one that took place when the spouses were highly intoxicated.

Is marriage still valid if not registered?

If a copy of the marriage certificate has not been filed to the local civil registry, it does not affect the validity of marriage. Married parties will just simply present a copy of marriage certificate to the civil registry for late registration.

What makes a marriage legal in New York?

A couple who intends to be married in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state. The application for a license must be signed by both applicants in the presence of the town or city clerk. A representative cannot apply for the license on behalf of the applicant.

What happens if a marriage license is never turned in New York?

The couple must have the ceremony in New York for the license to be valid. After the ceremony, the couple must file the completed license with the issuing clerk and, within 15 days, they will receive a Certificate of Marriage. If a license is not filed, there is no legal marriage.