Marriage abroad?

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

My fiance and I live in Dubai but we would like to marry and honeymoon in Thailand.

Marrying in the UAE would be a problem for us as it is a muslim country and there are strange rules and i've always dreamed of marrying someplace exotic like Thailand anyway.

1. Would this be a problem if we want to do Direct Consular Filing from Dubai, UAE where we have residency or do you have to apply from the country in which you marry, ie: (Thailand)? We would be in Thailand on a visit visa when we marry. After about two weeks we would return to Dubai where we live and work.

2. Has anyone else gotten married in a country other than the one in which they have residency?

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

Ok, I found the answer:

In this circumstance, the U.S. citizen

marries the foreign fiance (either in the

foreign fiance's country, in the US, or in a third country...the location does not

matter as long as it is a legal marriage)

and applies DIRECTLY through the

foreign U.S. consulate for the spousal

visa.

But has anyone married in Thailand? Is it difficult to get the paperwork done on a 2 week vacation?

[kaffy 2]

Even if you married in Thailand I think you still apply through the Consulate where you have residency - which in your case is the UAE.

Edited August 20, 2008 by kaffy

[Todd-Leah 0]

Ok, I found the answer:

In this circumstance, the U.S. citizen

marries the foreign fiance (either in the

foreign fiance's country, in the US, or in a third country...the location does not

matter as long as it is a legal marriage)

and applies DIRECTLY through the

foreign U.S. consulate for the spousal

visa.

But has anyone married in Thailand? Is it difficult to get the paperwork done on a 2 week vacation?

This link may help: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/marriage.html

Leah

[kaffy 2]

2. Has anyone else gotten married in a country other than the one in which they have residency?

Sort of, I am an Aussie citizen and my husband is a USC. We were both living in Japan when we met and later married there. In order for alien residents to marry there we had to each obtain Notice of No Impediment to Marriages from our respective countries (since we lived there we got them through the Consulate), as well as gather some other documents so make sure you find out exactly what you need to ensure a valid marriage in Thailand. Some countries also have residency requirements for foreigners who want to marry - I know that France is one of them

[redglasses 1]

I recommend you get a marriage certificate from the Thai government or whatever the authority is and have its translated copy notarized at the US Embassy in Thailand.

You will definitely need the original and its translation for your fiance's IV petition.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Sort of, too. My husband (USC) and I (Mexican citizen) were living in Canada when we got married; which we did with no problems and then filed DCF through Montreal.

[Mononoke28 135]

I think only people filing for K3 visas have to have their interview in the US embassy of the country where they got married. DCF and CR1 visas should be fine.

Diana

[nimche 8]

Thailand is really nice, we stayed there for two weeks and really enjoyed every single thing. You will have fun.

I got married in Turkey and will do my processing in Italy. So far no problem.

As other have said, I think only K3 applicant has to apply to the same post as they have got married.

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

Thanks all.

[Nutty 2]

I got married in Thailand with my Iranian husband.

Be prepared the paperwork takes about two weeks. We did it without the aid of lawyers.

1) First we both had to go to our respective Embassies (USA and Iran) to get a document that said we were free to get married. So if you have been married before, you would need a divorce decree copy which is certified by the original court house that issued the original. Your fiance will need to show his Iranian birth (translated into English and certified by his Embassy) certificate that shows he is not married.

2) Take these to a translator and have them translated into Thai language.

3) Take originals and Thai translated versions to Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (This government department issues a stamp stating the translation is verified as accurate). At this point the are stapled together to be given to the Thai Magistrate who will do the marriage step next.

4) Take these stamped documents and get two witnesses and go to a local magistrates office. There you sit and sign forms and get the paperwork out of the way. You're married then.

5) Take the Thai marriage certificate & registration to the translators office again and have translated into English

6) Take Thai original of registration & certificate and English translations back to Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be authenticated as accurate.

YOU ARE DONE!

Edited August 25, 2008 by Nutty

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

Thanks Nutty. It really takes two weeks just to get the paperwork done? I guess we won't get to sightsee outside of Bangkok.

My fiance kind of wants to get married in Istanbul since he thinks the paperwork would be less of a hassle there.