Reporting Marriage to US Government

[Tarisus517 2]

Hi guys, so my wife and I got married in China. I've got the marriage certificate translated and stamped. Where do I report that in the US? Or do I just directly start with USCIS IR-1/CR-1?

 

Here's the info I found in my State:

 

 

Can I register my marriage in Pennsylvania if it takes place in another State or foreign country?

No. Your marriage can never be registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or in this County. You should be certain to get a certified copy of your marriage license from the State or foreign country where the marriage took place.

 

[Timona 4,206]

You send it to USCIS with your application. 

[Crazy Cat 41,476]

10 minutes ago, Tarisus517 said:

Hi guys, so my wife and I got married in China. I've got the marriage certificate translated and stamped. Where do I report that in the US? Or do I just directly start with USCIS IR-1/CR-1?

 

Here's the info I found in my State:

 

 

Can I register my marriage in Pennsylvania if it takes place in another State or foreign country?

No. Your marriage can never be registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or in this County. You should be certain to get a certified copy of your marriage license from the State or foreign country where the marriage took place.

 

There is no central marriage registry in the US.  Just report the marriage to USCIS as part of the I-130 filing requirements.

[pushbrk 12,769]

2 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

There is no central marriage registry in the US.  Just report the marriage to USCIS as part of the I-130 filing requirements.

To be "consistent" one does not ever "report" their own marriage in the USA.  Marriage is handled by the States.  Like the Cat said, there IS NO central registry of marriage in the USA.  You simply provide the marriage certificate (In this case Notarial Certificate from the Gong Zheng Chu) as a required document when filing a petition for spouse.

[pushbrk 12,769]

26 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

To be "consistent" one does not ever "report" their own marriage in the USA.  Marriage is handled by the States.  Like the Cat said, there IS NO central registry of marriage in the USA.  You simply provide the marriage certificate (In this case Notarial Certificate from the Gong Zheng Chu) as a required document when filing a petition for spouse.

Replying to myself and a bit off-topic, we used to get questions often about whether it was possible for the spouse of a US Citizen to be denied a spouse visa.  My answer was always, "Yes, absolutely.  If it were not so, we would simply report or marriage and get on the plane together.  There would be no "process"."

[pushbrk 12,769]

22 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Replying to myself and a bit off-topic, we used to get questions often about whether it was possible for the spouse of a US Citizen to be denied a spouse visa.  My answer was always, "Yes, absolutely.  If it were not so, we would simply report or marriage and get on the plane together.  There would be no "process"."

More off topic replying to myself.  I'm watching 1923, on of the spinoffs from Yellowstone.  I predict a "Dutton" will enter the USA with his British wife, skipping all process, with only a marriage certificate issued by the Captain of a ship, not even the ship they will arrive on.  Again 1923, not 2023.