Wedding in the US - required documentation

[Badgerella 5]

If my visa gets approved, we'll be getting married in the US, of course.

What kind of documents, from Croatia, do I actually need to be able to get married in the US? Will my K1 visa be sufficient, or do I need to bring someting else from my home country?

I'm asking because I went to get a new copy of my birth certificate today and ended up talking to the clerk there. They're being issued by the same place that does Croatian marriage/citizenship/death/other certificates, so what I learned confused me a bit.

It seems that we have a document stating that the person in question is not married (would be something like the CENOMAR they have in the Philippines). The clerk said this document is what you need in order to get married in Croatia, but if it gets an apostille as well, it becomes internationally valid and should be used abroad. Of course, they don't kno what exactly one needs for K visas, or what exactly happens in other countries, but they recommended I get one. The document is cheap and really easy to obtain, so I'll get one. I called the Embassy later and they said I could bring one to the interview if I wanted. This document is not on the Embassy's list of what's required for the interview, but I assume it really can't hurt to have it on me.

[Laura+Tom 2]

It depends on the state you are getting married in to what the requirements are.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

If my visa gets approved, we'll be getting married in the US, of course.

What kind of documents, from Croatia, do I actually need to be able to get married in the US? Will my K1 visa be sufficient, or do I need to bring someting else from my home country?

I'm asking because I went to get a new copy of my birth certificate today and ended up talking to the clerk there. They're being issued by the same place that does Croatian marriage/citizenship/death/other certificates, so what I learned confused me a bit.

It seems that we have a document stating that the person in question is not married (would be something like the CENOMAR they have in the Philippines). The clerk said this document is what you need in order to get married in Croatia, but if it gets an apostille as well, it becomes internationally valid and should be used abroad. Of course, they don't kno what exactly one needs for K visas, or what exactly happens in other countries, but they recommended I get one. The document is cheap and really easy to obtain, so I'll get one. I called the Embassy later and they said I could bring one to the interview if I wanted. This document is not on the Embassy's list of what's required for the interview, but I assume it really can't hurt to have it on me.

You will not need anything else to get married here. States vary, but basically if you are over 18 you are good to go. Some states (or counties in states) require a SSN, IF you have one, but the supreme court has ruled states cannot require an SSN to get married. Marriage, itself, has nothing to do with immigration status and foreign nationals are free to come to the USA and get married. We needed only positive identification to get married and to sign a statement we were eligible to be married (over 18 and single). Your passport will suffice as identification. Whether the marriage is recognized in your home country is not a concern of the USCIS.

[Badgerella 5]

It depends on the state you are getting married in to what the requirements are.

We'll be getting maried in Minnesota.

Does my fiance need to contact his whatever local authorities to find out what exactly is required? I mean, once I enter the US on a K1, I can't just fly back home to bring whatever I might end up missing.

The only theory I have in my head is - K1, since it's issued after all kinds of background and other checks, at all levels (US, then the beneficiary's country, as well), actually serves as the one and only proof that the both of us are free and able to legally marry.

If that's not the case.. then what? It's kind of odd, if what I just said wasn't true, that the instructions the Embassy gives you doesn't state what kind of things the beneficiary would need to bring to the States.

[Otto 83]

In most states it is the County Clerk's office that issues marriage licenses - call your local issuing authority to be sure. I suspect the documents you'll need are very simple/basic in nature.

[Badgerella 5]

You will not need anything else to get married here. States vary, but basically if you are over 18 you are good to go. Some states (or counties in states) require a SSN, IF you have one, but the supreme court has ruled states cannot require an SSN to get married. Marriage, itself, has nothing to do with immigration status and foreign nationals are free to come to the USA and get married. We needed only positive identification to get married and to sign a statement we were eligible to be married (over 18 and single). Your passport will suffice as identification. Whether the marriage is recognized in your home country is not a concern of the USCIS.

I know that marriage itself has nothing to do with immigration status and that anyone can get married in the US. I just wanted to know whether there was some document, issued here in Croatia, that would serve as additional proof that I was not legally married (somewhere else, or to someone else).

The part about the marriage being recognized in Croatia - I am familiar with all the steps and that does not concern me at all. I know what exactly I need to do to have it, eventually, registered with the Croatian authorities.

[Otto 83]

I know that marriage itself has nothing to do with immigration status and that anyone can get married in the US. I just wanted to know whether there was some document, issued here in Croatia, that would serve as additional proof that I was not legally married (somewhere else, or to someone else). Nothing that I've ever seen/read.

[Badgerella 5]

I know that marriage itself has nothing to do with immigration status and that anyone can get married in the US. I just wanted to know whether there was some document, issued here in Croatia, that would serve as additional proof that I was not legally married (somewhere else, or to someone else). Nothing that I've ever seen/read.

I hope it really is that way because I wouldn't want to end up missing something once I get to the States and, at the same time, I really am trying to avoid calling the Embassy with even more questions. They process so few cases that they know the applicants by the names when you contact them. Or.. they just know me because of how annoying my fiance and I can get.

[Otto 83]

I know that marriage itself has nothing to do with immigration status and that anyone can get married in the US. I just wanted to know whether there was some document, issued here in Croatia, that would serve as additional proof that I was not legally married (somewhere else, or to someone else). Nothing that I've ever seen/read.

I hope it really is that way because I wouldn't want to end up missing something once I get to the States and, at the same time, I really am trying to avoid calling the Embassy with even more questions. They process so few cases that they know the applicants by the names when you contact them. Or.. they just know me because of how annoying my fiance and I can get.

The embassy isn't really the place to call - your local county clerk's office (or whoever issues marriage licenses in your state) can tell you exactly what is needed.

[Badgerella 5]

I know that marriage itself has nothing to do with immigration status and that anyone can get married in the US. I just wanted to know whether there was some document, issued here in Croatia, that would serve as additional proof that I was not legally married (somewhere else, or to someone else). Nothing that I've ever seen/read.

I hope it really is that way because I wouldn't want to end up missing something once I get to the States and, at the same time, I really am trying to avoid calling the Embassy with even more questions. They process so few cases that they know the applicants by the names when you contact them. Or.. they just know me because of how annoying my fiance and I can get.

The embassy isn't really the place to call - your local county clerk's office (or whoever issues marriage licenses in your state) can tell you exactly what is needed.

I'll have my fiance ask the local authorities in Minnesota.

[bosnian68 0]

I know that marriage itself has nothing to do with immigration status and that anyone can get married in the US. I just wanted to know whether there was some document, issued here in Croatia, that would serve as additional proof that I was not legally married (somewhere else, or to someone else). Nothing that I've ever seen/read.

I hope it really is that way because I wouldn't want to end up missing something once I get to the States and, at the same time, I really am trying to avoid calling the Embassy with even more questions. They process so few cases that they know the applicants by the names when you contact them. Or.. they just know me because of how annoying my fiance and I can get.

The embassy isn't really the place to call - your local county clerk's office (or whoever issues marriage licenses in your state) can tell you exactly what is needed.

When they give you K-1 visa at embassy in Zagreb that will be the best proof that you are not married. Because they will check all your documents on the interview and see that you are still free (not married). On the list of documents which are needed for interview (was the case by me) is also document issued from local authorities that you are not married, or that your previous mariagge was terminated (if was any). I am also ask that my fiancee there in USA and she says that they only will ask proof of termination of previous marriage (if there is any) , from person who was married before. But i mean that the best is that you ask your fiancee there in USA what are rules there where you plan to get married.

[Badgerella 5]

Thanks for all of your replies.

It seems we're really good to go with just the K1 and IDs, but my fiance will eventually ask just to make sure.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

You will not need anything else to get married here. States vary, but basically if you are over 18 you are good to go. Some states (or counties in states) require a SSN, IF you have one, but the supreme court has ruled states cannot require an SSN to get married. Marriage, itself, has nothing to do with immigration status and foreign nationals are free to come to the USA and get married. We needed only positive identification to get married and to sign a statement we were eligible to be married (over 18 and single). Your passport will suffice as identification. Whether the marriage is recognized in your home country is not a concern of the USCIS.

I know that marriage itself has nothing to do with immigration status and that anyone can get married in the US. I just wanted to know whether there was some document, issued here in Croatia, that would serve as additional proof that I was not legally married (somewhere else, or to someone else).

The part about the marriage being recognized in Croatia - I am familiar with all the steps and that does not concern me at all. I know what exactly I need to do to have it, eventually, registered with the Croatian authorities.

You will need to provide this for the interview IF it is required. They will let you know. If you have never been married it is difficult to prove you haven't done something. When you arrive here, you will not need anything else. Some counties require that you provide divorce documents if you have been married before, your fiancee can check this. Vermont only requires you sign an affadavit that you are legally free to marry, they do not ask for anything except identification.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks for all of your replies.

It seems we're really good to go with just the K1 and IDs, but my fiance will eventually ask just to make sure.

That's the best idea. The only we can say is that there should be no reason you need something from Croatia. The county clerk (in Vermont, the town clerk, whatever) can tell your fiancee this. I doubt you will need anything but your passport.

[SWA2 1]

It depends on the state you are getting married in to what the requirements are.

We'll be getting maried in Minnesota.

Does my fiance need to contact his whatever local authorities to find out what exactly is required? I mean, once I enter the US on a K1, I can't just fly back home to bring whatever I might end up missing.

The only theory I have in my head is - K1, since it's issued after all kinds of background and other checks, at all levels (US, then the beneficiary's country, as well), actually serves as the one and only proof that the both of us are free and able to legally marry.

If that's not the case.. then what? It's kind of odd, if what I just said wasn't true, that the instructions the Embassy gives you doesn't state what kind of things the beneficiary would need to bring to the States.

My wife and I were married in Minnesota 18 months ago. Minnesota law says a Social Security Number is required, but they don't enforce it. In fact, at the time I called an immigration attorney about this and he told me only one county in Minnesota had been enforcing this rule with K1 visas and they had agreed to stop under threat of lawsuit. In Minnesota there is a 5 day waiting period after the marriage license is issued before you can marry. Only one person needs to be present when the license is issued so I got the license on July 18 even though my fiancee did not arrive until August 4. When my wife got copies and translations of her birth certificate and divorce decree she had two sets made and sent one set to me. These were the only official documents I had and I was able to obtain a marriage license with them.