Getting married in the United States as a non-U.S. citizen — or with a partner who is not a U.S. citizen — is entirely possible and involves no immigration requirements at the marriage license stage. However, there are important considerations around documentation and recognition.
No Citizenship Required for a U.S. Marriage License
U.S. states do not require either party to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to obtain a marriage license. Non-immigrants on tourist visas (B-1/B-2), student visas (F-1), work visas (H-1B, L-1), or any other visa status can legally marry in the United States. Undocumented individuals can also legally marry — immigration status is not a factor at the marriage license stage.
Accepted ID for International Applicants
Every U.S. state accepts a valid foreign passport as government-issued photo ID for the purpose of a marriage license application. The passport must not be expired. Additional documents that may help:
- I-94 arrival/departure record (for recent entrants)
- Visa stamp in the passport (some clerks find this helpful)
- An official translation if any ID is in a non-Latin script
A foreign driver's license is generally not accepted as the sole ID — bring your passport.
Both Parties Must Appear in Person
All U.S. states require both parties to appear in person at the county clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. This means both the U.S. partner and the international partner must physically be present together. Proxy applications are not available for standard marriage licenses (proxy marriages are a separate, rare category discussed in a separate guide).
Translation Considerations
Marriage license applications in U.S. county clerk offices are in English. The application asks for legal names (as they appear on government ID), dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and information about prior marriages. If either party does not speak English fluently:
- Most county clerk offices do not provide translation services
- You can bring your own interpreter — there is no requirement that the interpreter be certified for this purpose
- The Social Security Number field: non-U.S. citizens who have never had a U.S. SSN may write "N/A" or "None" on the application — this is accepted in most states
Social Security Numbers for Non-U.S. Citizens
Most states require applicants to provide a Social Security Number on the marriage license application. Non-U.S. citizens who do not have a SSN should write "None" or "N/A" in the SSN field. This is a known and accepted situation — county clerks are accustomed to international applicants. Your application will not be rejected solely because you lack an SSN.
Immigration Implications of Getting Married in the US
This is where international marriages get more complex — and where you should consult an immigration attorney. Key points:
- Getting married does not automatically create immigration status — a non-U.S. citizen spouse does not receive a green card simply by marrying a U.S. citizen. A separate immigration petition (Form I-130) must be filed.
- Marrying on a tourist visa: Getting married while in the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa is not automatically illegal, but can complicate future immigration proceedings if it appears the trip's true purpose was to immigrate. Consult an immigration attorney if this applies.
- K-1 fiancé visa: Couples where one party is a U.S. citizen can apply for a K-1 fiancé visa, which allows the foreign partner to enter the U.S. specifically to get married within 90 days. Marriage during the K-1 period is the intended use of this visa.
MarriageLicenseLocal provides information about the marriage license process only. Immigration law is complex and the immigration consequences of marriage in the U.S. depend heavily on your specific visa status, country of origin, and prior immigration history. Consult a licensed immigration attorney before making decisions about when and where to get married if immigration status is a consideration.
Will a U.S. Marriage Be Recognized in Your Home Country?
The United States recognizes its own marriages — but your home country sets its own rules for recognizing foreign marriages. Most countries recognize U.S. marriages, but the process for getting the marriage registered in your home country typically requires:
- A certified copy of your U.S. marriage certificate
- An apostille from the state where the certificate was issued (confirming the certificate's authenticity for international use)
- Certified translation of the certificate into your home country's language
- Filing with the appropriate civil registry in your home country
The Hague Apostille Convention covers most countries — the apostille is a standardized certification that simplifies international document authentication. The state in which the marriage was performed issues the apostille; contact the Secretary of State's office for the relevant state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. There is no requirement that either party be a U.S. citizen or resident. Two foreign nationals can obtain a marriage license from any U.S. county clerk and have a legally recognized ceremony in the United States. Bring your passports, know your Social Security numbers if you have them (write "None" if you don't), and appear together at the county clerk's office.
An apostille certifies the authenticity of a public document for use in another country. For a U.S. marriage certificate, contact the Secretary of State's office in the state where the marriage was performed (not where you live). Each state has a process for attaching an apostille — typically $10–$20 per document. In California, for example, the Secretary of State's office handles apostilles. Processing times vary from same-day to several weeks.
Getting married while on a J-1 visa is legally permitted. However, J-1 visa holders are subject to the two-year home residency requirement in many cases, which can affect immigration options after marriage. This is a question for an immigration attorney — the marriage license itself is straightforward, but the immigration implications require professional advice.