Marriage Abroad

• In many countries, the requirements to get married may be more stringent than in the United States. Examples include residency requirements and waiting periods.
  
  

Validity of a Foreign Marriage

• A legal, heterosexual marriage performed abroad should be legally recognized in the United States. However, according to the U.S. Department of State, if you have questions regarding the validity of your marriage performed abroad, contact the attorney general of the state in which you plan to live.
  
  

Gay Marriage

• Although some states recognize domestic partnerships, in the United States, gay marriage is not legally recognized on a federal level. This means that marriage benefits for international couples, such as being able to obtain a U.S. green card for a spouse on the basis of marriage, are not available to married gay couples.