Hackensack, NJ asked in Divorce and Immigration Law for New Jersey

Q: what would someone need to get to the US

if the guy i was arranged to marry tries to use our verbal marriage certification, would it work?

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4 Lawyer Answers
Svetlana Kats
Svetlana Kats
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Cleveland, OH

A: Hi there! No, verbal marriage arrangement will not work for immigration purposes- you need a real official marriage certificate.

Stephen Arnold Black and Kevin L Dixler agree with this answer

Kevin L Dixler
Kevin L Dixler
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Milwaukee, WI

A: The marriage must be registered with the official authority in the State or Nation. Otherwise, it is usually invalid as a matter of law. However, the official authority can be a church, mosque or other religious institution depending upon the nation.

If there is any additional concern, then I strongly suggest an appointment with a competent and experienced immigration attorney before there are any other complications.

The above is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney client relationship.

Amanda B Cook
Amanda B Cook
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Montgomery, AL

A: No, that's not going to work for him. Even if the marriage were somehow "registered" with your home nation, as others have suggested, you would still have to proactively petition for him to come to the US, he can't just do it on his own based on your marriage.

You may have some concerns, though, if you were to marry again, about the validity of your (next?) marriage, depending on whether you are considered legally married in your home country. If you decide to marry someone you love, then definitely seek the help of an attorney first to make sure that your 'real' marriage will be legitimate.

Adan Vega
Adan Vega
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Houston, TX

A: You can visit travel.state.gov and and search in the “U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country” for the marriage document that is acceptable by the U.S. consulate or USCIS.

Good luck to you.

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