How Long does it take to get marriage certificate in the US?

[Dinosaur2013 26]

Hi! We are the same sex couple wishing to file a CR-1/DCF in Bangkok, Thailand. We understand that when filing the petition we will have to submit a copy of marriage certificate along with form I-130. Since Thailand does legally recognize same sex marriage we are therefore planning to fly to the States, get married and come back with our marriage certificate. We are thinking of NYC or Hawaii. However we do not know how long it takes to obtain the marriage certificate from these states and are now having a headache as we do not know where we can get the marriage certificate fast. We read from the city clerk websites and they are not that helpful. We are confused as some county clerk offices say it takes from 10 days to 10 weeks to obtain such document after the marriage is legally completed. We are worried. Could anybody who knows share the answers with us? What does your marriage certificate look like when get married in the US. Thank you for your advice in advance.

[Anonymous885 44]

I think it is all depending on the time frame and the state you will be married.

You have to apply for marriage license and then perform the actual marriage. Some court clerks have busy schedule to perform your marriage. You will be received your certified marriage within 10 business days by mail, but it could be faster depending on the state.

The certified marriage certificate will have the red notaried and a seal. It contains name, date of birth, date of marriage, signatures, so on. The paper can be black and white or color depending on the state.

I got the marriage license intermediately after applying. The marriage license can only valid after 3 days . That means the date I can marry is 3 days after applying marriage license. In my state, I can obtain the certified marriage certificate in the same days but It takes few minutes for them to do it.

[ricnally 258]

You have to check with different county offices (timeframe varies county to county) to see who can get it to you fast. If you don't want to go to the trouble of contacting all those offices, Vegas would be a good choice (if it's legal there--I'm not sure). Also, if you can go to California, we got our marriage licence, had our ceremony, and got our marriage certificate all on the same day at the Lompoc, CA office.

Edited April 19, 2014 by ricnally

[awaywego 28]

As others have said, this will depend. The general timeframe goes like this:

1. Apply for the license. There might be a waiting period.

2. Get married (!) and return the license to the clerk's office. They process it, which might take some time. (Ours told us that they send all of the licenses to a central office in the state capital for processing, if I recall correctly.)

3. Pick up the certified copy of the license. There might be a processing period between requesting the copy and picking it up, but that might not apply if you pick it up in person. (Our office takes weeks for mailed requests and minutes for walk-ins.)

If you want to be in and out as quickly as possible, perhaps you could start with a state that has no waiting period. Once that is out of the way, the question is which places would give you a certified copy of the license on the same day you marry.

The certified copy looks official. USCIS will recognize it. Don't worry.

[Ning 619]

Hi! We are the same sex couple wishing to file a CR-1/DCF in Bangkok, Thailand. We understand that when filing the petition we will have to submit a copy of marriage certificate along with form I-130. Since Thailand does legally recognize same sex marriage we are therefore planning to fly to the States, get married and come back with our marriage certificate. We are thinking of NYC or Hawaii. However we do not know how long it takes to obtain the marriage certificate from these states and are now having a headache as we do not know where we can get the marriage certificate fast. We read from the city clerk websites and they are not that helpful. We are confused as some county clerk offices say it takes from 10 days to 10 weeks to obtain such document after the marriage is legally completed. We are worried. Could anybody who knows share the answers with us? What does your marriage certificate look like when get married in the US. Thank you for your advice in advance.

Does this mean one of you has a tourist visa that will allow the person to enter the USA? When asked what will that person indicate is the purpose of the trip?

It is not illegal to enter to marry if the person intends to leave the USA within the prescribed time frame.

Edited April 20, 2014 by Ning

[Dinosaur2013 26]

Thanks to the first reply, ricnally and awayweego. We comments give us ideas on how to proceed. To Ning, yes one of us holds a tourist visa. It's me. But I don't see anyone says it's an illegal to go to the States as a tourist and get married. Would you please kindly share with me which website would not recommend us to take this path? Thank you Ning.

[ricnally 258]

No it's not illegal to enter the US as a tourist and get married, and I don't think Ning was saying that (Not sure what Ning was trying to say other than just a reminder that you mustn't overstay the visa.)

[Ning 619]

Thanks to the first reply, ricnally and awayweego. We comments give us ideas on how to proceed. To Ning, yes one of us holds a tourist visa. It's me. But I don't see anyone says it's an illegal to go to the States as a tourist and get married. Would you please kindly share with me which website would not recommend us to take this path? Thank you Ning.

I didn't say it was illegal to do so. In fact I said it is not. I don't see how anyone could be confused by what I said.

If you enter the USA together and the officer realizes that you are, you may be denied entry IF they think you wont really leave. Keep in mind ALL people with any type of visa are considered intending immigrants.

[Dinosaur2013 26]

Apologies Ning . I misread your email. Yes, you really mentioned it is illegal. Yes, we are planing to go there to get married and definitely come back to Thailand as I still have a employment contract with my organisation until the end of the year. If a need be, I could bring with me a copy of my contract and a return ticket. By the way, do you have any more tips on getting married in the States? Many thanks Ning and sorry again!

[awaywego 28]

There are threads about visiting pinned at the top of the IR-1/CR-1 and K-1 forums. Posters have many suggestions on what to bring to show ties to your home country and that you plan to return within the time allotted by your visa. My spouse and I always carry documents when we visit the US in case there are any questions.

[Ning 619]

Apologies Ning . I misread your email. Yes, you really mentioned it is illegal. Yes, we are planing to go there to get married and definitely come back to Thailand as I still have a employment contract with my organisation until the end of the year. If a need be, I could bring with me a copy of my contract and a return ticket. By the way, do you have any more tips on getting married in the States? Many thanks Ning and sorry again!

It is important to have the info understood not only by you but by others in the future. You again indicate I said its ILLEGAL. No it is not illegal to enter the USA with the intent of marriage IF the person holding a B 2 intends to leave when they enter.

You must be careful in your understanding and approach when you attempt to enter. A work contract can be broken simply by ignoring it. A return ticket can be simply not used as is the case in many instances because one way tickets are many times cheaper. These items alone may not be enough to change the officers mind.

I want you to succeed but you must have a good plan to do so.