Getting married in third country.

[Renegade 11]

We're gay couple from Armenia and USA, and we decided to go for CR1 visa, instead of K1. In which third country can we get legally married? Thank you for help!

[Amhara 460]

I know when we were looking for countries that will let two non-residents marry, the options were very limited. We weren't looking for same sex marriage, but I found that Turkey allows the fastest dual non-resident marriages. Cyprus does, but it takes about 21 days to complete. I think you may have luck with Jamaica or other Caribbean countries.

If you can't find any on an Internet search, try a US visitor visa. Explain you two will marry in US, then the Armenian will return during the CR-1 processing wait.

[teeak 224]

Here's a list of all countries that recognize same sex marriage: http://www.freedomtomarry.org/landscape/entry/c/international

What you'll have to do now is find a country on that list that will easily allow foreigners to get married. Some have residency requirements and some such as France have complicated requirements for a foreign gay couple. If same sex marriage isn't legal in one of the partner's home country then they won't be able to legally marry in France.

You have a bit of research to do. I think checking the US Embassy website for each of those countries may also help you out.

[teeak 224]

Unfortunately same sex marriage isn't legal in Turkey and Cyprus or in any of the Caribbean countries.

On the posted list, I think UK, Denmark, Norway and Portugal don't have any residency requirements to get married but again, I think you should do some research.

Edited August 31, 2015 by teeak

[Ryan H 3,810]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Off Topic. Thread's subject is about countries where same sex couples can legally marry and not about the US Spousal Visa process.