How can I get my marriage recognised in Australia if I get legally married in the USA?

Question

My fiance is American and we are moving to America and getting married legally so we can start the citizenship process... We are then coming back to Australia for the ceremony and reception and I would still like the marriage to be recognised in Australia.. how do I do this?

Any help would be fantastic!!

Answer 1

talk to the US embassy in Australia and the Australian Embassy in the US.  

Answer 2

In general marriages entered into overseas are considered valid in Australia if they are valid where they were made and would be valid if they'd been made in Australia. Here is a link: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/marriage...

It wouldn't be valid if it was a same-s*x marriage though, even if it was valid in the US state where it happened. There are some other exceptions like that but probably none of them apply.

You don't have to register it, your foreign marriage certificate will be proof enough if needed.

And you probably know this, but if you're an Australian citizen, your partner won't automatically get Australian citizenship/residence for marrying you.

If you have any questions, I recommend you speak to somebody from the embassy of either country, or a lawyer, or someone from the office where they register marriages.

Harriet

Answer 3

I'm not sure which process you are going through to get married, it sounds like the K-3 visa.  But any marriage in the USA, especially after undergoing the paperwork and process will be recognized everywhere else.

Check out http://visajourney.com/forums/index.php?...

This is an excellent forum with many couples who are in the process of marriage, immigration and citizenship.

Good luck!