For some couples, the traditional wedding ceremony isn't practical. Brides, grooms and especially families may be separated by continents. Consequently, web weddings are becoming more common. They are typically conducted online through platforms such as Zoom or Skype. The need for online marriages got additional attention during the pandemic because many couples were simply unable to unite in person due to international flight restrictions. For U.S. citizens and permanent residents who want to help a spouse obtain a green card, it’s important to understand the legality of web weddings for immigration purposes.
Standard Marriage Requirements for a Green Card
A U.S. citizen or permanent resident may petition a foreign national spouse for permanent resident status (green card). The U.S. spouse files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) to designate an immigrant visa for this “qualifying relationship.”
In order for the U.S. government to recognize the relationship, the petitioner must submit evidence that:
The marriage is legally valid; and
In most cases, married couples can submit a copy of marriage certificate to prove a valid marriage. Provided that the marriage was legal in the jurisdiction where it took place, USCIS will generally consider it a valid marriage. It doesn’t matter if the marriage was in New York or Bangladesh. If the government body responsible for issuing marriage certificates deemed it a legal marriage, the U.S. government will also consider it a marriage. But it does get a little more complicated for persons with a web wedding.
There is a bona fide marital relationship.
A marriage certificate is just a document. It's also important to demonstrate the presence of a geniune relationship. An individual motivated by fraud could easily acquire a marriage certificate. Therefore, it’s also critical for spouse-based petitions to include evidence that there is a bona fide relationship between the spouses. A marriage is more than a piece of paper. Generally, it’s a long-term commitment to each other. This can be evidenced with a variety of documents that is outside the scope of this article.
Legality of a Web Wedding for Immigration
Generally, U.S. immigration law will recognize marriage performed in a web wedding. However, it’s important to understand the specific requirements. The marriage must be legally valid in the jurisdiction where it occurred and the couple must consummate the union after the marriage. Specifically, the couple must have had sexual relations after the marriage took place. Therefore, it is essential that the couple be in the same physical space at some point after the marriage. Consummation prior to the marriage does not meet the criteria.
Gather Evidence to Prove Your Web Wedding is Valid for Immigration Purposes
While married couples can generally submit a copy of marriage certificate to prove a valid marriage, those who married through a virtual ceremony should submit additional evidence to prove the marriage was consummated.
Immigration officials may accept affidavits and/or documentary evidence as proof that you consummated your marriage after the ceremony. Examples of acceptable documentary evidence to show the couple was in the same physical place include but are not limited to copies of the following:
- Airplane tickets
- Hotel reservations
- Photos together
- Bills
- Apartment lease
Additionally, petitioners should gather a written account from third-parties who are knowledgeable of the couple’s relationship. Individuals may write an affidavit that attests to the fact of the relationship. The person writing the affidavit should have been someone who witnessed the web wedding and the couple’s in-person meeting after the marriage. Persons writing an affidavit may include:
- Friends
- Family
- Religious leader
- Landlord
- The couple
Filing for a Green Card
Once the couple has consummated the marriage, they can also start the process to obtain a green card for the foreign national spouse. The consular process starts with the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative and the Form I-130A supplement. This petition tells the U.S. government that you have a qualifying relationship and reserves an immigrant visa.
CitizenPath helps people prepare the petition and navigate the spouse-based green card process. Experienced immigration attorneys designed our affordable services to make it easy and give you the reassurance you’re doing everything correctly. CitizenPath customers get a neatly prepared Form I-130, Form I-130A, customized filing instructions, and a guarantee that USCIS will approve the petition. Learn more >>
Planning a Web Wedding
A web wedding is likely an option if you plan to marry someone in another country, but it's crucial to review the legal requirements. Determine if your country of origin recognizes and approves of the online marriage. As long as the ceremony is performed legally in one country and the marriage isconsummated, it should be honored by U.S. immigration officials.
Although online marriages are not common yet, a web wedding conducted in a country that recognizes it legally is legitimate. In fact, a marital ceremony via Zoom, Skype or other online platform can faciliate marriages for same-sex couples, military couples, and others with complicated situations. Always use a reputable partner when planning your web wedding. You'll need to arrange for a marriage officiant, make sure the technical elements of the event run smoothly, and obtain the marriage certificate.
Getting married is complicated. Courtly simplifies the process for couples and provides everything necessary to get married online, even a licensed officiant who can perform a remote ceremony. Use code CITIZENPATH to get a 15% discount.
Proxy Marriage Option
A proxy marriage is a ceremony performed in the absence of the bride or groom. In other words, either of the two matrimonial parties are not present at the marriage ceremony. Another person stands in for the non-present individual as a proxy. In some cases, the wedding may be online as well.
Couples who want to marry but one or both of them cannot attend due to exceptional reasons such as military service, imprisonment, or travel restrictions may use proxy marriages. In the United States, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Texas, and Utah each have laws that allow for proxy marriages with various rules.
Getting Married in the United States
In some cases, it may be necessary to get married in the United States. Foreign nationals may be able to obtain a K-1 visa for the purposes of marrying a U.S. citizen. A K-1 visa may be appropriate for your situation if:
- Your preference is the marry in the United States;
- You are unable to have a legal web wedding; or
- You married but are unable to consummate the marriage.
A K-1 visa allows a foreign national to enter the United States for the purpose of marriage to a U.S. citizen within 90 days. That same U.S. citizen initiates the process by filing Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé).
Some individuals choose to have a ceremonial online wedding with friends and family. Then, the foreign fiancé enters the U.S. to have the official marriage and adjust status to permanent resident.
A web wedding may be a good solution for your situation, but always check to make sure it is valid for immigration purposes. Even if an online marriage is legally valid in the place where you were married, U.S. immigration law will only recognize the marriage if it was later consummated.
Use CitizenPath to prepare your USCIS forms and get detailed directions on supporting documents to submit as a part of your petition package. Individuals, attorneys and non-profits use the service on desktop or mobile device to prepare immigration forms accurately, avoiding costly delays. CitizenPath allows users to try the service for free and provides a 100% money-back guarantee that USCIS will approve the application or petition. We provide support for the Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130), Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), and several other immigration services.
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