With the advent of technology and dating apps, you have met someone in a different country who you can’t stop thinking about, fallen in love, and want to take the next step with. But with covid and the trouble of getting Visa’s, your only option is to get married outside your home country.
Or, you’re perusing on social media and come across an unforgettable location internationally that someone else got married at, and now you and your partner just have to make that dream a reality.
So to the next step, how do you make it happen? Getting married across international borders should be exciting and invigorating because it’s foreign. However, when you research what is needed to make it happen, it can scare you a bit. Don’t stop reading because of this and lose hope. Let’s jump right in and figure out how to make it happen for you.
What documents are needed to get married internationally?
Every country has different laws and documents needed in order to get married in their jurisdiction. To list all the laws of every country on getting married when not a citizen is not the objective here. But let’s give you an idea of what’s needed to make this happen for you.
Every country needs a way to verify your identity and residency. This can be in the form of a government issued ID: Passports are commonly used but other IDs might include a Drivers License, State ID Card, Military ID, etc. In addition to the ID, most countries require a birth certificate that is authenticated with a stamp that is called an Apostille.
Some other additional things countries require are a proof of residence, a certificate of celibacy, affidavit of law, witness affidavit, divorce decrees (if you have been married before). Some countries like France, also require you to at least be in the country for 30 plus days or your partner prove residency in the country.
Once you have these, you will need to submit them to the local federal agency that will issue you a marriage license so you and your partner can legally get married. Most countries require you to submit them in-person so plan for that in your travels.
What if I can’t get the necessary documents?
For some, getting and submitting the necessary documents is not a problem and they can make it happen rather effortlessly. Not the case for all unfortunately. So now poses the situation that scares many and gets daunting. What if I don’t have access to all the documents, the specific country requires, and can’t get them in the time needed in order to get married when I want? Lucky for you, there is an alternative to still be able to get married across international borders.
This alternative is an online wedding. Online weddings started to become popular during covid because of isolation and inability to travel. An online marriage, also known as a virtual marriage, is a legally binding marriage that takes place over the internet. The ceremony is streamed online using Zoom, Skype, or other video call platforms and can be viewed on your computer, phone, or anything with streaming capabilities.
A few countries have allowed this practice to be in place and legal. However, not all of them have international capabilities. The US, Canada, and the UAE allow virtual weddings to be performed and legal. However, only the US makes it possible for you and your partner to be from anywhere and located anywhere and still get an online legal wedding.
No longer should love be stopped by international borders, race, sexual orientation, or any other reason. After you receive your marriage certificate from the United States you can work with your local government to recognize your marriage as valid and officially be married in your country as well. One thing to note and consider, an online marriage certificate is no different than an in-person marriage certificate.
. Some people are looking to save money on their wedding and avoid the hassle and expense of a traditional wedding ceremony. Others simply enjoy being different but still want a wedding ceremony done their way, personal and meaningful.
Can anyone get married online internationally?
In simple terms, yes! Because of the way the US has structured and allowed online weddings, you can get married legally through international borders. The evolution of online marriage allows couples to tie the knot from anywhere in the world, literally. This saves the hassle of having all the documents necessary to get married in a different country. We’ll talk about what documents are required to get married online though a virtual call in just a minute.
Whether you are together in the same room or separated thousands of miles apart, online weddings give you an easy way to join together in union in your special way.
Requirements for getting married online through the US
Let’s go through what is needed and required to get married online across international boarders through the US.
You will need to obtain a marriage license. This is done online through county clerks office’s that allows this to be performed. The most well-known of these, and of course trailblazer for the world, is Utah County. Some online wedding providers will get the license for you, but the government is tightening the restrictions on allowing this due to improper validation and an increase in scams, so check with the online wedding company you choose.
To get your marriage license, they require a valid and current government issued ID. This can be from any country as long as it has English characters so they can decipher the name and date of birth. Passports work the best for this purpose. You will use the ID to validate residency and date of birth. You may need to provide a divorce decree if you were recently divorced.
How to get legally married online?
Once you have all the necessary documents, you can start the process of getting legally married online. The first step is to find an online marriage service provider and choose your wedding package. Somevirtual wedding servicestake a one size fits all approach while others allow you to customize and choose a type of service. To help you get the ball rolling, some of the most popular online wedding companies are LoveLife, Courtly, WebWed Mobile, and Marry From Home.
Once you have chosen a service provider, you will need to fill out the required forms we talked about and provide the necessary documents, a marriage license. Now that you have that, you can get married. You can choose to be together for your ceremony with a virtual officiant or a distant virtual ceremony with a virtual officiant. In either case, you will be able to have a legally binding ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, the officiant will digitally sign your marriage certificate to make it legally binding.
Benefits of getting married online
One of the biggest benefits of getting married online is that it is fast and convenient. All you need is an internet connection and a few basic documents and you're ready to go. You can get married quickly and without the need to take time off from work or travel to another location. Online marriages are similar to destination weddings, but without having to travel.
Another benefit is that it is much more affordable than a traditional wedding. Without the need for a venue, catering, and other expenses, online marriages can be done for a fraction of the cost. You can also save on time, as the process is much simpler and less time-consuming than a traditional wedding.
Finally, getting married online is much more private than a traditional ceremony. You can exchange vows in the privacy of your own home, without the need for family or friends to be present.
Conclusion
Getting married online is a great option for couples who want to tie the knot from anywhere in the world.. With the right documents and the help of a knowledgeable online marriage service provider, you can say "I do" from anywhere and make your dream of getting married a reality.
So if you're wondering, "Can I get married online internationally?", the answer is yes! You will get a legal marriage certificate. Online marriage certificates are the same as an in-person marriage certificate. So you will have to check your country's restrictions and procedures on recognizing foreign marriages. With the right preparation and support, you can get legally married online and have a beautiful virtual wedding.
