Married a Filipina in the Philippines. She now wants to get married in the USA.

[allanr 4]

My wife and I have been married for over 4 years.  We originally married in Cebu, then moved to the USA several months later.  She now feels it's important to get formally married in the USA.  I've tried googling if this is actually something that can be done, but came up empty. She claims some of her friends have done it, but is hazy on the details.  

 

Anyone here know if it's actually legal to get formally married in the USA, although I already legally married my wife in the Philippines?   Details would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Lil bear 4,201]

1 hour ago, allanr said:

My wife and I have been married for over 4 years.  We originally married in Cebu, then moved to the USA several months later.  She now feels it's important to get formally married in the USA.  I've tried googling if this is actually something that can be done, but came up empty. She claims some of her friends have done it, but is hazy on the details.  

 

Anyone here know if it's actually legal to get formally married in the USA, although I already legally married my wife in the Philippines?   Details would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

You are already married. Unless you want to divorce her and then remarry her. You can have a party to celebrate /renew your vows to each other … but there is no legal standing/ceremony/recognition of a renewal or celebration 

Edited August 22, 2023 by Lil bear

[Daphne . 1,853]

Did she explain why she thinks it’s important to marry in the US? 
 

You are already married, also in the eyes of the US. 

[Loren Y 2,755]

I do weddings all the time here in Vegas. They have a Vow renewal ceremony here that is available to be done. It is basically the exact same thing as a real wedding other than you get a different style marriage certificate than you would get if you were getting married the first time. See the link below. Maybe this is something you can do to appease the wife. Like they say.... " Happy wife, Happy Life"

 

https://weddings.vegas/marriage-services/certificate-of-vow-renewal/

Edited August 22, 2023 by Loren Y

[Verrou 1,962]

you already legally married, no need to legally married (again) in the US. throw her big wedding celebration if she wants, that's what many women wants anyway. u did the right way by do some research first. most people when they said "my friends did that" usually didnt know 100% details and that can be backfired. read this : 

 

Edited August 22, 2023 by Verrou

[Chancy 6,241]

7 hours ago, allanr said:

She now feels it's important to get formally married in the USA.

 

Maybe emotionally, it might be important to your wife.  But for (most of) the US government, it's not and it could be illegal if you sign the wrong paperwork, like what happened in the case referenced above by @Verrou.  As others mentioned, if you were already legally married in the Philippines, then the US also recognizes your marriage as legal.

 

If having a US-issued certificate is what your wife wants, then look into vow renewals (as @Loren Y suggested) or foreign marriage registration.  Other than Nevada, New Jersey and Colorado issue official certificates for such cases.  Colorado, in particular, allows "re-marriage" as the Colorado DMV does not accept foreign marriage certificates as legal name change documents!  Check the links below for more info --

 

New Jersey ("reaffirm your relationship/vows by registering a remarriage") -- https://www.nj.gov/health/vital/registration-vital/marriage-licenses/#6

Colorado -- https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/761702-changing-last-name-after-immigration-of-spouse/?do=findComment&comment=10580622