Marriage Abroad Documents: What You May Need to Marry in Another Country
Marriage abroad documents are the records a foreign country asks for before it will let a couple marry there. The U.S. State Department says requirements vary by country, so you should check with the country's marriage office or tourist bureau before you travel.
What vital record do you need?
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What countries commonly ask for
According to the State Department, common requirements include proof that any previous legal relationship has ended, such as divorce or death certificates. Documents often must be translated into the local language and authenticated, which may mean an apostille or authentication certificate. Other requirements can include blood tests, age rules, parental consent and residency periods.
Some countries also want proof that you are legally free to marry. The State Department's manual explains that the United States has no document certifying that a citizen is free to marry, and no U.S. authority that issues one. Where a country asks, a notarized statement from the citizen is often accepted instead. See the entry on certificate of no impediment.
Role of the embassy or consulate
U.S. embassy and consulate employees cannot perform marriages in foreign countries. Consulates can notarize an affidavit of eligibility to marry by appointment.
Records from a U.S. state
Some people request a statement from their state. Connecticut, for example, issues a "No Record of Marriage" statement that people usually request when marrying abroad. Other states have their own rules, so ask the vital records office in the state where you live or were born.
Frequently asked questions
Does the U.S. government certify that I can marry?
No. The State Department manual says no such document, or authority to issue it, exists in the United States.
Do I need to authenticate my birth or divorce records?
Often. The State Department says documents must often be translated and authenticated, but the rules depend on the country where you will marry.
Can I get married at a U.S. embassy?
No. The State Department says embassy and consulate employees cannot perform marriages in foreign countries.
Sources
US Records is a private company and is not a government agency. Government agencies issue certified records; we help you order them.
Written By
US Records TeamThe US Records Team writes and reviews guides on birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates, using state statutes, agency instructions and court records as sources.
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