If you and your loved would like to get married overseas before settling into married life back in your home country, and the United States is your dream wedding destination, the following practical advice on getting married in the USA is a good place to start.

Getting married in the USA as a foreign national is generally fairly straightforward. . Most countries around the world also recognise a marriage in the United States as a legal marriage, although overseas couples are encouraged to check with the government of their home country regarding the recognition and legality of marriage in the US, as there are some countries with certain restrictions.

Below we look at some of the rules and requirements around getting married in the USA. We also look at whether you can have your honeymoon in the USA after your wedding ceremony has taken place and provide a useful marriage licence checklist for couples who are thinking about making one of the many US states the perfect host for their big day.

 

Do you need a visa to get married in the USA?

 

Depending on your nationality, you may be able to get married in the US without needing a visa.

If you’re eligible for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), you can travel to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP permits citizens of various partner countries to come to the US for the purposes of tourism visa-free. However, given the importance of your plans for getting married in the USA, you must apply for an ESTA well in advance, as any denial will necessitate an application for a visa.

If you’re not eligible for ESTA, you would need a visa to travel to the US. This would typically be the B-2 (tourist) visa, where there is nothing in the regulations that say individuals who are in the United States as visitors cannot get married.

To be eligible for a B-2 visa, you must satisfy the following requirements:

 

• The purpose of your trip is to come to the USA temporarily for the purposes of tourism, but this can include getting wed
• You plan to stay in the USA for a specific limited period only
• You have evidence of sufficient funds to cover your expenses during the course of your trip in the USA
• You have a residence outside the USA, plus any other binding ties, that will ensure your departure at the end of your stay.

 

To apply for a visa, you will need to schedule an Embassy or Consulate appointment, where the wait times can vary, depending on where you apply from. For example, the current wait times for an appointment with the Embassy in London is currently 110 calendar days.

The cost to apply for an ESTA is $21 per applicant, while a B2 tourist visa will cost $185 each.

 

Can you stay in the USA after the wedding for your honeymoon?

 

If you would like to have your honeymoon in the USA after your wedding ceremony has taken place, you will be able to remain for as long as your authorised stay allows. If you travelled to the United States on a visitor visa, you will be able to stay for up to 6 months. Alternatively, if you travelled under an ESTA, you will be able to stay for up to 90 days.

In certain circumstances you may be able to extend your visa, although it is not possible to extend an ESTA under the VWP, where you must ensure that you depart the USA prior to the end of your authorised stay, otherwise risk being denied entry in the future. Still, 90 days (or 6 months on a visa) will give you and your new spouse plenty of time to have your honeymoon, either enjoying a restful break where you got married or exploring the USA.

Las Vegas is an ideal place to get married where, after the wedding, you and your guests can enjoy shopping, shows, dining, outdoor recreation, gaming and much more. New York also makes for a fab mini-moon, where you can visit many of the iconic movie spots from Times Square to the Empire State Building. Both Los Angeles and Florida offer an equal dose of sun, sea and fun, where the LA coastline has some of the most popular beaches in the world, while Florida is renowned for both its beaches and amusement parks.

 

 

Getting married in the USA: what you need to know

 

From Las Vegas to Los Angeles or New York and Florida, it is possible for overseas couples, both of whom are non-US nationals, to travel to the USA with a view to tying the knot in their dream destination before returning back home to start their married life.

However, there are certain county-specific rules that couples must abide by if they want their “lawfully wedded wife/husband” to become their “legal spouse”. In other words, there are strict licensing rules and timeframes that may need to be followed for a marriage to be valid. Importantly, the submitting of a marriage licence application and/or purchasing of a marriage licence does not constitute being legally married. You must participate in a qualified civil or religious ceremony, after which the marriage licence must be completed and returned to the issuing office to be recorded. Typically, city or county clerk offices will only record marriage certificates for licences that were obtained from that office.

The requirements and procedures can vary by state and local jurisdiction, so it is always a good idea to check with the local county clerk’s office or any other designated office for specific requirements and procedures. Below we set out some key examples of wedding destinations and their associated rules, helping to ensure that your “I do’s” are not delayed.

 

Las Vegas, Nevada

Getting married in Las Vegas remains one of the easiest options in the United States. Couples can complete a marriage license application online up to 90 days before their ceremony. Both parties must appear together in person at the Clark County Marriage License Bureau to present valid government-issued photo identification. The license fee is $102 and is payable by credit or debit card.

There is no waiting period in Nevada, which means you can get married immediately after receiving your license. The license remains valid for one year from the date of issue. No blood test is required, and both applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

 

Los Angeles, California

In Los Angeles, both individuals must appear together in person at a Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office to apply for a marriage license. Valid government-issued photo identification is required from both parties. Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made online.

The fee for a public marriage license is $91. There is no waiting period, so couples can marry as soon as they have their license. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. No blood test is required, and applicants must be at least 18 years old.

 

New York City, New York

To get married in New York City, couples must first schedule an appointment through the NYC Marriage Bureau’s Project Cupid system. Appointments are available in person or virtually. Both individuals must appear at the same time and present valid photo identification.

The fee for a marriage license is $35. There is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the marriage ceremony can legally take place. The license is valid for 60 days. No blood tests are required, and applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

 

Florida

In Florida, both partners must appear in person together at a local County Clerk’s office to apply for a marriage license. Valid government-issued photo identification is required. The standard marriage license fee is $86.

There is no waiting period for non-residents of Florida. Florida residents, however, must wait three days unless they complete a certified premarital preparation course. The license is valid for 60 days. No blood test is required, and both individuals must be at least 18 years old.

 

Visa checklist for getting married in the USA

 

 

Requirement	Details
Valid Passport	Ensure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your stay in the US.
Visa or ESTA	Apply for a B-2 visitor visa or ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program, depending on your nationality and eligibility.
Intent of Visit	Be prepared to explain your intention to marry and return home, if applicable. Misuse of tourist status can raise immigration concerns.
Travel Documents	Bring printed copies of your travel itinerary, return flight confirmation, and hotel or accommodation bookings.
Proof of Funds	Carry bank statements or other evidence showing you have sufficient funds to support your stay in the US.
Proof of Ties to Home Country	Have documentation that supports your intent to return home, such as employment letters or property deeds.
Marriage License ID	Bring valid photo ID (e.g. passport) to apply for a marriage license in the state where you plan to marry.
Means of Payment	Ensure you have a method to pay the marriage license fee (credit/debit card or local requirements).
Ceremony Planning	Schedule your ceremony within the validity period of your marriage license and confirm officiant availability.
Return of Signed License	After the ceremony, return the signed marriage license to the issuing authority within the required timeframe.

 

 

Beware: Green Card marriage fraud

 

It’s important to note that entering the US with the preconceived intent to marry and adjust status (i.e., apply for a green card) can be considered visa fraud. Therefore, if your intention is to marry a US citizen and reside in the US, it’s advisable to apply for a K-1 fiancé(e) visa instead. The K-1 visa allows you to enter the US for the purpose of marrying your US citizen partner within 90 days of arrival. ​

 

Need assistance?

 

For specialist advice on traveling to the US to get married, contact us.

 

Getting married in the USA FAQs

 

Can British citizens get married in USA?

It is possible for British citizens to get married in the USA, provided they intend to return to the UK or otherwise depart the United States after their wedding ceremony and no later than the end of their authorised stay.

 

Can foreigners get married in USA?

It is possible for foreigners to get married in the USA, although overseas couples are encouraged to check with their home government regarding the recognition and legality of marriage in the USA, as there are some countries with certain restrictions.

 

How quickly can you get married in USA?

In Las Vegas, you can apply for a marriage licence and get married at a walk-in chapel the very same day, where the Clark County Marriage License Bureau is open from 8am to midnight, 365 days per year.

 

Is a US marriage legal in the UK?

Most countries around the world, including the UK, recognise a marriage in the United States as a legal marriage. The majority of states also have few rules, other than having a valid passport for proof of your name and age.

 

Glossary

 

Term	Definition
Marriage License	A legal document issued by a state or county that authorizes a couple to marry.
B-2 Visa	A nonimmigrant visa for temporary visitors coming to the US for tourism or personal reasons, including getting married.
ESTA	Electronic System for Travel Authorization that allows eligible travelers to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program.
Visa Waiver Program	A program that permits citizens of certain countries to travel to the US for tourism or business without a visa for up to 90 days.
County Clerk	The local government office responsible for issuing marriage licenses and recording marriage certificates.
Officiant	A person legally authorized to conduct a marriage ceremony in the state where the marriage takes place.
Certificate of Marriage	The official document issued after a marriage ceremony, confirming that a legal marriage has taken place.
Waiting Period	The mandatory amount of time that must pass between obtaining a marriage license and the actual ceremony in certain states.
Proof of Funds	Documents such as bank statements that show a visitor has enough money to support themselves during their stay in the US.
Return of License	The process of submitting the signed marriage license to the issuing office to have the marriage legally recorded.