Do U.S. Citizens have to be married in the United States?

Question

Like I know people get married in the Bahamas and stuff, but isn't the Bahamas like owned by the U.S.? I'm not sure. This is a dumb question I know, but I just wanted to find out.

Answer 1

No, the Bahamas are not owned by the US. It is an independent nation.

You are free to marry anywhere in the world, as long as you do so in accordance with the laws of that country.

The US will recognize a marriage from anywhere in the world as long as the marriage would not be illegal in the US.

If you go to a Muslim country, for example, and marry an eight year old girl, the marriage is legal in that country - but if you bring her back to the US and have s*x with her here you will be prosectuted as a child molester.

Richard

Answer 2

No, you can be married anywhere you wish. When you return home,  go to your county court house with the certificate and have it put on record.