Hatrack River Forum: Random question (legal experts?)

This is topic Random question (legal experts?) in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/main/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=045360

Posted by genius00345 (Member # 8206) on :

I just had a friend ask me this question:

If an illegal alien married a legal US citizen, is it a legal marriage?

I thought maybe some jatraquero might know.

Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :

I don't think you have to be a citizen to get married in the US -- my dad wasn't a citizen when he married my mom, for example.

But in case things are different outside Maryland, I would think that both parties need some sort of ID (drivers license, passport?) to recieve a marriage license. If the ID is forged, I'd assume the license would be void.

--j_k, who is not a legal expert

[ October 08, 2006, 11:55 PM: Message edited by: James Tiberius Kirk ]

Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :

It's a legal marriage, but there are major visa issues: see here for a quick description.

If your friend is considering marrying any non-citizen with the intention of evetually living it the US with him/her, I'd suggest that your friend hire an immigration lawyer specializing in family visas (not work visas, like the H1-B). You want someone who is a member of American Immigration Lawyers Assoc. An immigration lawyer will speed the process along, be able to answer any questions, and will help with the massive amounts of paperwork.

I've been told that it'll cost about $4000 for the lawyer fees and fees for the visas, all told, and I'm marrying a foreigner who has his papers in order...