Are Marriage Certificates Valid In All States?

Marriage licenses are not transferable between states, but a legal marriage in one state is legal across the entire country. Most states require spouses, the officiant, and one or two witnesses to sign the marriage certificate after the ceremony. Some jurisdictions require a stamp from a county clerk. A birth certificate may be required to show proof of age.

Marriage licenses have validity for a limited period of time, depending on the state. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact the vital records office in the state where you were married. A marriage license is valid for 60 calendar days, beginning the day after it is issued. If a party to the marriage is active U.S. military, the solemnization period may be extended to 180 calendar days. The applicant must provide proof to the issuing clerk at the time of application.

Marriages performed abroad are locally valid marriages, provided they comply with all applicable laws of the foreign city, state, and country where they take place. In the United States, all but one state requires that a couple be 18 in order to marry without parental permission. Nebraska sets the age of majority at 19. A marriage certificate from one state has no legal standing in another state. However, most marriages conducted in the US are legally recognized throughout the country as long as the participants do not violate federal or state laws, even if self-solemnized.

In summary, marriage licenses are not transferable between states, but a legal marriage in one state is legal across the entire country. Couples must apply for a marriage license in their home state, obtain a valid passport or driver’s license, and appear at a county clerk.

Do I need to register my marriage in the US if I get married abroad?

You don’t need to go through a formal process to register your foreign marriage in the United States. Once you’re in the U.S. and married in another country, your marriage will be recognized by the U.S. government and immigration authorities. Some legally binding marriages are not recognized in the United States. For example, polygamous marriages won’t be recognized. Make sure your marriage meets U.S. legal standards to avoid problems. For more information, the U.S. Department of State has a guide on recognizing foreign marriages. If you want to record your foreign marriage in the state where you live, you can contact the Attorney General’s office to ask about the process. This isn’t a formal requirement.

Do I need to register my foreign marriage in the US?

The United States doesn’t have a national registry for foreign marriages. The U.S. government recognizes marriages that were legal in the country or state where they took place. This applies to marriages in any country as long as they follow the local laws. Before getting married in another country, it’s important to research the marriage laws and requirements. Make sure the marriage is legal. This is important for your marriage and for immigration. When applying for a spouse visa, U.S. immigration will check that your marriage is legal. Make sure your marriage license and certificate follow the laws of the country where you got married. The U.S. Department of State has a useful table called the National Visa Center Reciprocity Table that lists the marriage requirements for different countries.

What marriages are not recognized in the US?

Answer: There are wedding spots all over the world. Las Vegas is one example. Two Italians fly to Vegas and get married. They then return to Italy. They are married. A marriage is not recognized by U.S. immigration rules if it is against U.S. public policy. Currently, this means a bigamous marriage or same-sex marriage. A marriage is valid if it is performed in accordance with the laws of that place. Marriage destinations include Cyprus, Thailand, Caribbean islands, Denmark, and Gibraltar. There are many other places too. Not all places allow foreigners to marry. Destination weddings support local tourism. Find a place that allows foreigners to marry. Google “worldwide marriage spots” for more info. Ask about wedding packages. Make sure you can get a visitor visa to marry in that country. If you can marry, your marriage is recognized worldwide.

Is a marriage in Brazil legal in the US?

Marriages performed abroad are also valid in the United States. Each U.S. state has its own marriage rules. Check with the state attorney general to see if your marriage and certificate will be valid there. For more information, visit br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/child-family-matters/.

Is my marriage certificate valid in the US?

The U.S. doesn’t have a national marriage registry. U.S. states recognize marriages from other states and countries. If you got married legally in the country or state where you did, your marriage is recognized in the United States. The only exception is for naturalization. Learn more about marriage for immigration here. If you are getting married abroad, the U.S. State Department website has helpful information.

Do I have to register my marriage in Brazil?

To make a marriage official in Brazil, you have to register and sign documents at a notary. You need to complete forms at a registry office. You must provide a translated birth certificate, passport copy, and certificate of civil status. If you are divorced, you must present a copy of the divorce decree, certificate, or equivalent official document. Only final decisions are valid. Cases still pending in court are not sufficient. A widower must provide the original death certificate of the deceased spouse, translated by a sworn translator. Two witnesses must be present at the notary during the marriage registration. They must be at least 18 and not family. You must decide which type of marriage you want. This affects how your assets are managed in case of divorce, death, or inheritance. Marital regimes cannot be changed after this act.

Which marriage certificate is required for U.S. visa?

If you are or have been married or divorced, you must bring the original marriage or divorce certificate. Depending on your visa class, you may also need to bring original documents for the petitioner. If you are the parent, brother, or sister of a U.S. citizen who is petitioning for you, you must bring your petitioner’s original birth certificate. If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen or LPR and the petitioner was previously married, you must bring the divorce decree of every prior marriage. For more information, visit the Department of State website at travel.state.gov. Not having the right documents can cause delays in processing your visa.

Can I get married in California if I live in another state?

You don’t have to live in California to get married there. To marry in California, the two people cannot already be married to each other or anyone else. You can’t get married by proxy in California. The Family Code says that two people getting married must be together in the same place.

California Family Code 420(b) allows a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is stationed overseas and serving in a conflict or war to enter into a marriage by the appearance of an attorney-in-fact. Applicants must use the POA form from the State Registrars Office, available here. POA form (PDF).

Are marriage certificates public in the US?

If a marriage was performed by a civil or church authority, it had to be recorded in the civil records. Marriage has always been public. It has been recorded in many ways. Click here for more info on using marriage records.

• How to Find US Marriage Records To find a marriage record, choose the state where the marriage occurred. Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

United States Birth Records; United States Death Records.

Can I get a marriage license in Texas and get married in another state?

A Texas marriage license can be used in other states. Contact your out-of-state officiant before applying for a Texas marriage license.

How do I legalize my marriage certificate in USA?

After getting married, go back to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate to have your marriage certificate authenticated. The fee for authenticating the document is $32. If the marriage certificate is not in English, you may need to have it translated and notarized.