Is my marriage legal if we got married in the US but live in a foreign country? 12 Answers as of October 28, 2011

If your marriage was legal when it was entered into it would be recognized in the U.S. Whether it is recognized in the country where you are currently living would depend on the laws of that country. I can't advise you on the procedures for divorce in your current country of residence but if you return to the U.S. you would be able to apply for a divorce after establishing residence in the state in which you are going to apply. Best to consult with a family law attorney. If you wish to remain in the country where you are now seek out a family law attorney in that country.

Yes, your marriage is legal if it conforms with the laws of the U.S. state where it occurred and has nothing to do with where you may now initiate a divorce which would depend upon the laws of the foreign country where you currently reside.

Once you get married, you are married unless you get a divorce.

A marriage is valid anywhere in the world as long as it is valid in the location where it took place. Depending on the rules from the state where you got married, you might look into an annulment.

If you received a marriage certificate (proof of marriage) from the US state where you married, then your marriage is very likely to be recognized everywhere in the world. Most states have a residency requirement for divorce. That is, at least one of you must be a resident of that state to get divorced there. You should consult a lawyer where you are living to see if you can get divorced according to laws of that country. You are under no obligation to petition for a green card (US legal residency) for your wife.

Yes, your marriage is very legal unless one of you was still married to another person at the time you married your current spouse. There are other basis under which a marriage can be rendered invalid. I don't know about divorces therefore you will have to speak to a family law attorney. But I do know that if you divorced over there, it would be just as valid as a divorce here. That is if divorce is allowed in the foreign country where you live.

The problem may not be as "grave" as you think if you married "very recently". Depending on the family statutes of your "Midwestern state" you may petition the court to annul the marriage without formal dissolution proceedings. Every state has its own timeline for annulment petitions so you should consult a family law attorney in that particular state. As far as immigration issue if you already filed paperwork for your wife to become legal resident in the United States as petitioner you can "withdraw" your petition and this will stop the process for your wife of becoming legal permanent resident in the United States. That is if you believe that the marriage was a sham on her part. As usual this can be complicated process and the best way is to consult with experienced immigration attorney.

As a matter of law, marriage is a legal matter and therefore requires consummation of certain legal actions required by the laws of a jurisdiction governing your locality. As a result, whether your marriage is legal requires an analysis of many facts and documents.

Your marriage is legal. You are allowed to file for divorce in whatever place you currently reside now.

The validity of the marriage depends and the procedures for divorce depend upon the laws of your country or residence. In general, a valid marriage in one country is recognized in another.