Does It Matter What State You Get Married In?

[jonpinoy 1]

Hi everyone,

I am getting married to someone from Seoul, Korea. We applied for a K-1 visa and everything has been going well so far, with no RFE or anything like that. The US Embassy in Seoul recently sent us an e-mail on 11/24/2014 giving my fiancee instructions on how to proceed. She is working on getting all the vaccinations, medical exam, and interview in order so that she can obtain the visa. She is planning to head over to the US to live with me in early 2015, if things work out.

Anyway, here's my dilemma. I am a veterinarian working in the US, currently doing so in New York City. I have just been granted the opportunity to do an internship outside of New York (in the Mid-west). I will have to be there for a year and there's a good possibility that I will be there before my fiancee comes to live with me. I am planning on having my fiancee live with me wherever I am stationed at in the mid-West but here's the thing. I originally filed the case from my home in NYC. I understand that when my fiance gets the K-1 visa and flies over, we have to get married in 90 days. Do I have to get married in New York City where I am originally from (and also where I filed the K-1 visa application)? Or is it possible to get married in another state where I am going to be doing my internship? I will most likely come back to NY to work and live after my internship is done, if that helps at all.

I am just a bit worried because once I am in my internship I'm sure I won't have much free time. I don't know if I have to take a short trip to NYC for a few days just to get the marriage license (the process takes 3 days minimum to get the marriage license and certificate) and fly back or whatever.

Any insight into this matter would be helpful. Thanks a lot.

[landr 126]

It only matters with regard to the requirements to get married in that state, e.g., residency and wait time, potential name-change issues/restrictions for your wife (or you), how long it takes to get a certified copy of the marriage certificate once you're married (you might want to apply for AOS asap), total costs and travel issues for guests. Otherwise, no, it doesn't matter.

I suggest doing some googling and then putting some costs together to weigh up your options.

[Ian H. 207]

You can get married wherever you want, as long as it it's within the US.

Edited October 29, 2014 by Ian H.

[M and C 32]

It really doesn't matter where within the US you are getting married.

[Al422 221]

As long as your proposed marriage is legal in the state of your choice, it is fine.

[VOL 425]

Get married in Las Vegas I think the courthouse is open 24 hours per day 6 days per week for marriage licenses

Quick and easy..

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

It matters if you are a same sex couple.

[d3adc0d3 186]

If you are a same sex couple or a couple with a fiance(e) who is under the age of 18, you need to get married in a state which the union is legal. Many states will not allow an under-aged fiance(e) to get married without the parents physically present to give consent, and same sex marriages are still state-by-state legal.

If none of these apply to you, it doesn't matter so much, as long as you meet the requirements. Some require a wait period, some require a residency period. Check with the local state and city laws (even cities can have laws regarding marriage) to make sure there are no requirements which you cannot meet.

[Ian H. 207]

Where in the midwest are you moving to? You might want to start checking the requirements for a marriage license in that state so that you can be aware of any waiting/residency periods, documentation, fees, etc.

Edited October 30, 2014 by Ian H.

[baron555 934]

It really doesn't matter where within the US you are getting married.

It does if they are a same sex couple.

Or if one of them is below a certain age.

[M and C 32]

It does if they are a same sex couple.

Or if one of them is below a certain age.

You're right. I just assumed that the OP is male based on the username "jonpinoy". We all know that the fiancee is a female though. I was commenting in the context of their situation, as I have perceived it. I could possibly have the wrong assumption.

[jonpinoy 1]

Thanks for the input guys. Yeah, we are not a same-sex couple, but it's good to know. I'll do some googling and see what I can come up with.