How to Marry a Foreigner: Complete Legal Guide for Every Country (2026)

The two main immigration paths

If you're a US citizen marrying a foreign national, you have two primary visa options: the K-1 fiancé(e) visa (marry in the US) or the CR-1/IR-1 spousal visa (marry abroad, then immigrate). Each has trade-offs in timeline, cost, and practicality.

K-1 fiancé(e) visa

• You must have met in person within the past two years
• File Form I-129F with USCIS — current processing time 12-18 months
• After approval, your fiancé(e) attends a consular interview in their home country
• Upon entry to the US, you must marry within 90 days
• After marriage, file for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) for permanent residency
• Total cost: $2,000-5,000 in government fees, plus $3,000-10,000 for attorney fees if used

CR-1/IR-1 spousal visa

• Marry abroad first (research the legal requirements in your partner's country)
• File Form I-130 with USCIS — processing time 12-24 months
• Your spouse attends a consular interview with approved I-130
• Upon entry to the US, your spouse is already a permanent resident — no Adjustment of Status needed
• Generally recommended for couples who can handle the longer wait, as the immigrant arrives with more rights

Country-specific marriage requirements

Every country has different requirements for foreigners getting married within their borders. Here are the most common destinations:

Philippines

• Obtain a Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from the Philippine Statistics Authority
• US citizens need a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage from the US Embassy in Manila
• Marriage license application requires both parties to appear in person at the local civil registrar
• 10-day waiting period after license application
• Divorce is not legal in the Philippines — this affects future legal planning

Colombia

• Apostilled birth certificate translated into Spanish by an official translator
• Sworn affidavit of single status from the US Embassy in Bogotá
• Both parties must appear before a notary (notaría) with two witnesses
• The marriage is registered with the Registraduría Nacional
• Civil marriage can be performed by a notary; religious marriages are also legally recognised

Thailand

• Obtain an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry from the US Embassy in Bangkok
• Have the affirmation translated into Thai by a certified translator
• Register the marriage at any district office (Amphur) — both parties must be present
• Thai law recognises only civil registration — religious ceremonies are separate
• Prenuptial agreements (Sin Sod) are culturally expected and should be discussed openly

Kenya

• Three types of marriage recognised: civil, Christian, and customary (including Islamic and Hindu)
• 21-day notice period required for civil marriages
• Foreign nationals need a letter of no impediment from their embassy
• Bride price (dowry) is culturally expected in most Kenyan communities and should be discussed early
• Marriage registration at the Attorney General's office makes the marriage internationally recognised

Common mistakes that delay the process

• Incomplete or incorrect forms — the most common cause of USCIS delays
• Missing required evidence of a bona fide relationship (photos together, travel records, communication logs)
• Criminal history that wasn't properly disclosed or addressed
• Inconsistent information between the petition and the consular interview
• Attempting to use a tourist visa to get married and stay — this constitutes immigration fraud