Are there any special considerations when getting married abroad?

When getting married abroad, there are a few particular considerations that couples should take in mind. First and foremost, the couple must determine whether the foreign country in which they are getting married recognizes the marriage. As the Washington Marriage Law states, marriages performed outside of Washington are “subject to the marital laws of the country where the marriage is performed.” This means that if the foreign country does not recognize the marriage, the marriage may not be valid in Washington State either. Furthermore, couples considering getting married abroad should determine if there is a residency requirement in the foreign country. Every country has different requirements for obtaining a valid license to marry. Additionally, couples should make sure that the documents they receive from the foreign country in order to establish their marriage are sufficient and legally registered back in Washington State. Lastly, couples should contact the foreign country’s nearest embassy or consulate to determine if the marriage certificate needs to be translated into English to be considered valid in Washington State. Couples should also contact the Washington State Department of Health to determine if any additional steps are needed to recognize the marriage. In short, getting married abroad can be a wonderful, life-changing experience, but couples should be mindful of the different considerations and take the necessary steps to make sure that their marriage is legally recognized in Washington State.

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Are there any special considerations when getting married abroad?

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