Getting married here and there.

[mendeleev 68]

You cannot get married in Russia but, if you want, you can get your marriage registered at the ZAGS near where your spouse comes from in Russia. We haven't done this but might do so in future.

This is what you need to do. You need to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the local civil authority where you were married. Then you need to get an Apostile certificate for this marriage certificate. We got ours from the Secretary of State in Montana. (We were married by dual proxy in Montana -- long story having to do with IMBRA and nonsense like that in 2006. I posted about that episode a couple years ago.) An Apostile is a sort of super-duper notary stamp that is recognized under a Hague convention having to do with the recognition of marriages and family rights internationally. With your marriage certificate and Apostile stamp, you are ready to take your documents to Russia. You probably need your passport, but if you go to Russia you need it anyway, right? The ZAGS will require a certified, notarized Russian translation of these documents. That is probably best done in Russia.

Now, having outlined the process, why do it? My wife refuses. There could be tax complications for your spouse, especially if he/she owns property in Russia. My wife's posture toward these things is *TELL THE AUTHORITIES AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE* This is a wise posture in the USA and might be ever wiser in Russia.

[slim 1,525]

Has anyone ever tried this?

I bet if you showed up over there and applied for all the paperwork and stuff, they'd have no clue whatsoever that you were married already and wouldn't even ask. They may, however, call you a mail order husband!

[Thomas-n-Elena 0]

Has anyone ever tried this?

I bet if you showed up over there and applied for all the paperwork and stuff, they'd have no clue whatsoever that you were married already and wouldn't even ask. They may, however, call you a mail order husband!

hmm perhaps slim we could find two more Elenas to marry us(this time they will be rich) then they will take all the ####### for buying a husband in a catalog.

[mox 298]

Has anyone ever tried this?

I bet if you showed up over there and applied for all the paperwork and stuff, they'd have no clue whatsoever that you were married already and wouldn't even ask. They may, however, call you a mail order husband!

And as long as the two of you stayed married until death do you part, you'd never have a problem. It's when things turn nasty in the relationship that it gets really complicated.

[Cixelsyd 1]

Has anyone ever tried this?

I bet if you showed up over there and applied for all the paperwork and stuff, they'd have no clue whatsoever that you were married already and wouldn't even ask. They may, however, call you a mail order husband!

Why hasn't anyone ever thought of this before? We could become rich by exporting overweight/balding/rich American guys to other countries. Quick, someone register buyAbaldGuy.com

[BluesTraveler 0]

Has anyone ever tried this?

I bet if you showed up over there and applied for all the paperwork and stuff, they'd have no clue whatsoever that you were married already and wouldn't even ask.

To get married at ZAGS I am 95% sure you need a letter of non-encumbrance (i.e. free to marry) with an Apostille stamp. So an American can't just show up at ZAGS and get married.

Some people WANT to register the fact they are living overseas because if they lived with their parents, their parents can then pay less money for heating, electricity, etc...