What Documents Do I Need if I Married a Foreigner?

An identification is the most important document to present to the authorities, either in the United States or abroad, to obtain a marriage license. Your and your foreign spouse's picture ID (driving licence or passport) is universally required around the U.S. to apply for a licence, while individual states have additional requirements. Connecticut, for example, also asks for your Social Security number, your mothers' maiden name, your parents' birthplaces, date and location of your wedding, as well as the name and contact info of your wedding officiant. Check the "U.S. Marriage Laws" website for details on each state's and county's requirements.

You must prove you are eligible to get married — that is, being single, divorced or a widow, and the same applies for your foreign spouse. Proof of divorce or death certificate of your previous spouse are required. If you intend to get married abroad, you may also need an affidavit of eligibility to marry, as suggested by the Bureau of Consular Affairs. You cannot acquire this document in the United States, but if foreign authorities ask for it, the U.S. diplomatic missions can issue you one.

A number of states — Montana, Indiana and Connecticut, for instance — require blood tests from the soon-to-be couple. The authorities where you apply for a marriage licence can help you locate certified health centers. You must present the document of the test results to the authorities. Foreign spouses who reside in the United States have to go through the examinations, too, while if your spouse-to-be has arrived in the country on a K-1 fiance(e) visa, he has already had blood tests as part of the medical examination required to be issued the visa.

If your future spouse does not reside in the United States, and you want to get married close to your friends and family, your partner needs a non-immigrant fiance(e) visa (K-1). For this visa you need to sponsor your partner by completing the Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiance(e), as well as fill in an affidavit of support, if you intend to cover her financial needs in the country. If you have already been married abroad, you must follow the procedure for your foreign spouse to acquire an immigrant spousal visa (IR1 or CR1) or a temporary K-3 visa to shorten the physical separation between you.