HELP!!! Filing of foriegn marriage documents

krsi55 · December 5, 2011

I am in need of some help and information to which direction to go to file our foriegn marriage documents to make it legal in the states. I dont know where to start???? And every town hall/courthouse i call seems clueless!

Pucca · December 21, 2011

Depending on where you're getting married, it can be complicated. If you want to get legally married in another country, I'd inquire with the wedding planner (if you have one) who is helping you with organizing your wedding in that country. From what the State Department is saying, the marriage license has to be authenticated (at least that's what I'm reading); so you may have to make a trip to the U.S. Embassy/consulate in the country where you're getting married. Then when you return, you're supposed to file the document with the courthouse where you live.

If you need more info, just do a search with the State Department or the Attorney General's office in your state. Or I'm sure you could go to the local courthouse where they normally do civil ceremonies and ask them how you file a foreign marriage certificate. I think being there and talking to someone face-to-face would be more helpful than calling.

Since a lot more people are getting married abroad these days, it might not be so complicated anymore but it certainly might be a hassle, especially if the country requirements include getting translations and blood tests done. If you can, you'd probably be better off getting legally married in the States before you leave. It takes about 5 minutes and they file it with the courthouse for you. We did that and it was just a small no-nonsense thing in front of a judge. We celebrate our wedding on the day we actually got married in Mexico, not the day of our legal ceremony. Just something to think about. Good luck!

Originally Posted by krsi55

I am in need of some help and information to which direction to go to file our foriegn marriage documents to make it legal in the states. I dont know where to start? And every town hall/courthouse i call seems clueless!