Marriage

The process of getting married abroad is different from place to place. It can be time-consuming and expensive, so you may need to prepare.  

If you plan to marry in a foreign country, find out the requirements of the country where the marriage will take place. It is important to do that before you travel to the destination.  You must follow local laws when marrying abroad. 

Some examples of marriage requirements include: 

• Live in a country for a certain time before you can get married there.  
• Blood tests.  
• Age requirements.  
• Parental consent.  
• Proof of the end of any previous legal relationship. This could include death or divorce certificates.  
• Documents translated into the local language and authenticated.  
• Proof of legal ability to enter into a marriage. Review the “Affidavit of eligibility to marry” section on this page. 

Contact the office that issues marriage certificates or tourist information bureau of the country where you plan to marry. They can tell you about the specific requirements. If you are already abroad, you may wish to consult with the U.S. embassy or consulate for your destination.  

Some couples having destination weddings choose to get legally married in the United States before or after their destination wedding ceremony abroad. Completing the legal marriage in the United States and holding the celebration abroad avoids the complexity of obtaining a foreign marriage certificate and otherwise complying with local laws on marriage.   

U.S. embassy and consulate employees cannot perform marriages in foreign countries.

• Local law decides who can perform marriages. Often, it is local civil or religious officials who perform marriages. 
• Marriages done abroad are valid in that country if they follow local laws.  
• Whether another country recognizes your foreign marriage depends on its own laws.

If you get married abroad, you may need to know if the United States recognizes your marriage. Contact the office of the Attorney General of the state where you live. They can inform you of any documentation you may need to provide.

Some countries need this as proof of legal ability to enter into a marriage contract. The United States government cannot attest to your marital status. However, you may be able to provide a written statement saying you can marry. If you need the document notarized abroad, make an appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Early marriage, often referred to as child marriage, is a formal or informal union where one or both parties are under the age of 18.  A forced marriage is one that takes place at any age without the consent of one or both people in the marriage. Sometimes, family or others may force someone into marriage. They might also use threats or violence to try to keep someone in a marriage they want to leave.  Forced marriages occur in the United States and abroad. 

In some U.S. states, forced marriage is a crime, and in all U.S. states, people who force someone to marry may be charged with violating state laws even if the marriage occurs abroad. Some laws are prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law overseas.   

For examples, review our information on victims of crime and the Department of Justice website.  

U.S. state and federal laws, including those against domestic violence, child abuse, rape, assault, kidnapping, threats of violence, stalking, or coercion, may apply. People who force someone to marry may also face significant immigration consequences, such as being inadmissible to or removable from the United States.