A wedding on a faraway beach sounds simple. Legally, you’re getting married under that country’s laws, and some make it far easier than others.
The short list
- A marriage abroad follows the laws of the country where it happens; U.S. embassies and consulates can’t perform marriages.
- Marriages that are legally valid where they take place are generally recognized in the United States.
- Many countries ask for birth certificates, proof that any earlier marriage ended, translations and apostilles, and some require a period of residence first.
- Many couples marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony abroad, which avoids most of the paperwork.
Destination weddings come in two flavors: a legal marriage under another country’s laws, or a ceremony abroad that’s symbolic, with the legal part handled at home. Both can be beautiful. Only one involves certified translations.
Whose rules apply
When you marry abroad, the destination’s laws decide everything: who can officiate, what documents you need, whether a civil ceremony is required before a religious one, and how long you must be in the country first. The U.S. government doesn’t perform marriages overseas, and embassies and consulates can’t officiate.
Start with the State Department’s country information for your destination, then the country’s embassy or consulate in the U.S., and the local civil registry or a wedding planner who works there regularly.
Documents you may need
| Requirement | What it can involve |
|---|---|
| Valid passports | With enough validity left for entry rules |
| Birth certificates | Certified copies, sometimes issued within a recent period |
| Proof any earlier marriage ended | Divorce decrees or death certificates |
| Apostilles | Authentication of U.S. documents for use abroad |
| Translations | By a certified or court-approved translator, sometimes in the destination |
| Residency period | A set number of days in the country before the wedding |
| Other local requirements | Witnesses, medical certificates or notice periods |
Gathering these can take months, especially apostilles and translations, so begin as soon as you’ve chosen the country.
Recognition back home
Marriages that are valid where they’re performed are generally recognized in the U.S. Bring home several certified copies of the marriage certificate, plus a certified translation if it isn’t in English. You’ll need them for things like insurance, taxes and any name change.
Good to know: If you plan to change your name, the foreign certificate (and translation) will be your proof. Our guide to traveling after a name change explains the passport side.
The symbolic ceremony option
Many couples sign the legal paperwork at a courthouse at home, before or after the trip, and hold a ceremony abroad that isn’t legally binding. It skips residency rules and translations, lets you choose almost any venue and officiant, and keeps the legal date simple. The trade-off is that your “official” anniversary may differ from the one in your photos, which most couples happily ignore.
Prefer to stay in the U.S.? Some of the country’s most dramatic ceremony spots are in its parks; see our guide to national park weddings.
Couples often ask
What is an apostille?
It’s a certificate that authenticates a public document for use in countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention. For state records such as birth certificates, it usually comes from the secretary of state of the state that issued the document.
Will a foreign marriage certificate need translating at home?
If it isn’t in English, U.S. agencies usually ask for a certified translation. Order several certified copies of the certificate before you leave the country.
Can every couple marry legally abroad?
Only where the local law allows your marriage. Laws on who can marry, including same-sex couples, differ widely, so check the destination’s rules before you book anything.
Entry rules, fees, permits and tax figures change. Confirm details with the State Department, the park, the resort or a tax professional before you rely on them. This guide is general information.