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Mntjc

Legalizing your foreign marriage in the US

By Mntjc in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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Mntjc Enthusiast

Mntjc   14

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: France
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Hi everyone,

I read that "once your civil marriage has taken place abroad, U.S. consular officers at the US Embassy can authenticate your foreign marriage certificate. This authentication does not mean that the marriage will be recognized in the US state you live in. The authentication proves the validity of your foreign marriage certificate."

Since our marriage certificate isn't in English, I though that it could make it easier if we need to show it or use it when in the US.

Has anyone tried to have this done before? Since my interview is coming soon, should I try to do this at the same time?

CR-1 Spouse Visa, Filled abroad (I am the Beneficiary / Applicant)

2012 USCIS (MSC)

October 15: I-130 NOA1

December 15: NOA2

2013 NVC (BRS) Case number received 5 weeks after NOA2 - DS-3032
February 25: AOS and IV delivered to NVC

March 13: Case complete
April 3: Interview - Visa approved - USCIS Immigrant Fee paid

May: POE (Dallas Fort Worth Airport)

2015 REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS

February 18: NOA I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

March 18: Biometrics appointment

August 17: approved

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Darnell Grand Master

Darnell   8,478

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
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Posted

i would question a need to show a marriage certificate to any entity in the USA, once you are here.

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
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Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,812

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
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Posted

You don't need to do anything to "legalize" your marriage in the USA. A legal wedding that takes place abroad is automatically recognized in the US (provided it is in accordance with applicable local law).

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October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
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September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

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Mntjc Enthusiast

Mntjc   14

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: France
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Posted

Wouldn't you need to show your marriage certificate for any formal event (like getting a loan, buying a house, sharing health insurance, etc. etc.)?

CR-1 Spouse Visa, Filled abroad (I am the Beneficiary / Applicant)

2012 USCIS (MSC)

October 15: I-130 NOA1

December 15: NOA2

2013 NVC (BRS) Case number received 5 weeks after NOA2 - DS-3032
February 25: AOS and IV delivered to NVC

March 13: Case complete
April 3: Interview - Visa approved - USCIS Immigrant Fee paid

May: POE (Dallas Fort Worth Airport)

2015 REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS

February 18: NOA I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

March 18: Biometrics appointment

August 17: approved

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Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   45,470

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
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I never have.

I never have in the UK either for that matter.

I am going to guess you would need it to get divorced.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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N-o-l-a Grand Master

N-o-l-a   7,167

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Denmark
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Posted (edited)

You don't need to have it "legalized", a translation should do for any purpose. Do the authorities in Belgium not issue English marriage certificates? We were able to get one in Denmark that is in a multitude of European languages.

I never had to use my marriage certificate for my first marriage at all.

I am going to guess you would need it to get divorced.

Didn't need it to get divorced in America either.

I think I'll need it to change to my married name in America, though.

Edited by Nola123

3/2/18  E-filed N-400 under 5 year rule

3/26/18 Biometrics

7/2019-12/2019 (Yes, 16- 21 months) Estimated time to interview MSP office.

 

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  • 3 months later...
jreeves Newbie

jreeves   0

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

You don't need to have it "legalized", a translation should do for any purpose. Do the authorities in Belgium not issue English marriage certificates? We were able to get one in Denmark that is in a multitude of European languages.

I never had to use my marriage certificate for my first marriage at all.

Didn't need it to get divorced in America either.

I think I'll need it to change to my married name in America, though.

I'm getting married in Denmark next week and was wondering whether we need to get the marriage certificates legalised. It doesn't seem like we do, but it sure is talked about -- were your docs OK without it?

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NikLR Grand Master

NikLR   13,227

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
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Posted

I'm getting married in Denmark next week and was wondering whether we need to get the marriage certificates legalised. It doesn't seem like we do, but it sure is talked about -- were your docs OK without it?

Her husband is here so yes.

:)

You do not need to do anything to "legalize" a marriage in the USA. The USA doesn't have a national marriage registry. I think Nola also recently changed to her married name so I assume her documentation was satisfactory.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

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  • 2 years later...
TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,267

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
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Posted

A recent post has been split from this old thread.

The new post remains in the CR-1 Process forum.

The thread title is "Need Apostille or Just Translation of Marriage Certificate? [split topic]."

Old thread from 2013 is now closed to further comments.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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