Question about marrying outside the United States (US)

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louis0515

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What are some tips you have for any Catholic who wants to marry (sacramentally) outside of the US and then wants to return to the country with their spouse? What are some questions to ask? What are suggestions you have to make this possible? What are the procedures one needs to go through in order that things might run smoothly? Thanks a bunch and God bless! (Country to be married is Mexico)
 
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Different countries have different laws on marriage and immigration, so I would need to know like which country
 
I would imagine you might want to ask someone in immigration what the laws are before finalizing any plans to bring their spouse to the US.
 
Talk to an immigration lawyer, your pastor, and the pastor of the parish in which you want to marry.
 
In Mexico couples get married civilly, and then married in the Church.

Do you intend to be married in the Church in Mexico or the USA?
 
Some of my mom’s family is Mexican (via my grandpa) but I rarely talk to them, so not my area of expertise. I do hope that you get the information you need.
 
The idea is to get married in the Church in Mexico, but then bring her up to the U.S. legally, by taking the necessary steps to secure her citizeneship.
 
louis0515 said:
The idea is to get married in the Church in Mexico, but then bring her up to the U.S. legally, by taking the necessary steps to secure her citizeneship.
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Speak to an immigration attorney and your priest. We can’t give legal advice here, and as this involves the civil aspects of marriage and immigration, it’s really not something anyone here can help you with. And even if someone were to answer, you shouldn’t be taking the advice of unqualified internet strangers on this matter.
 
I can’t help you with the legal questions or immigration issues.

I can tell you that the religious issues are as I mentioned previously. Your fiancé and you need to arrange a civil marriage; and schedule a convalidation of that civil union with a priest subsequently.

Her priest and your priest can chat on the phone to make this happen. Her priest will be very familiar with this, as it is the way Catholic marriages occur in Mexico.

God bless you both,
Deacon Christopher
 
louis0515 said:
The idea is to get married in the Church in Mexico, but then bring her up to the U.S. legally, by taking the necessary steps to secure her citizeneship.
Click to expand...
I used to practice immigration law, but it’s been a few years no, and I am not offering legal advice.

You very much need to speak to an immigration lawyer. There are a couple of ways to do this right, a grey way, and wrong ways.

You generally have a right as a US citizen to bring your spouse here, although there are exceptions. But you don’t want to shoot your foot off in the process.

See an immigration attorney.
 
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