I-130 QUESTION - Do we need to get married again in the US after the CR1 VISA is issued?

[Yousnina 2]

I-130 Question- How valid are overseas marriages? Are they accepted in the US? We were recently married in Morocco and currently living and working together here. I will return to teaching in NY when my contract ends, and hopefully as a couple. Someone told us that in order for the marriage to be recognized in the US the papers must be stamped in the courts (which we did) and then must be stamped in Rabat at the ministry. That is a 5 hour train ride. If it is true we will do it. But if it is recognized otherwise then we wont go through the trouble of getting it stamped here.

While we will eventually get married int he US, I was wondering if my husband would be covered under my health insurance.

[Caryh 5,206]

Marriages abroad are recognized in the USA. If they were not, there would be no way to bring your husband on the CR-1 visa. At least as long as the marriage doesn't violate the laws of the USA.

[MariaLD 8]

no, u dont need to get married again, after u fill the petition to uscis and after they will aprove it u will have to demonstrate bona fide marriage with all of ur posible evidence, after the visa is granted, trip to usa, aos process etc . About the papers u need u need to contact the ambassy where the interv will take place, they will tell u about how they want the marriage certf and what stamps do u need

Edited November 6, 2014 by MariaLD

[myjourneytoo 49]

I-130 Question- How valid are overseas marriages? Are they accepted in the US? We were recently married in Morocco and currently living and working together here. I will return to teaching in NY when my contract ends, and hopefully as a couple. Someone told us that in order for the marriage to be recognized in the US the papers must be stamped in the courts (which we did) and then must be stamped in Rabat at the ministry. That is a 5 hour train ride. If it is true we will do it. But if it is recognized otherwise then we wont go through the trouble of getting it stamped here.

While we will eventually get married int he US, I was wondering if my husband would be covered under my health insurance.

No need to do so, Moroccan marriages are recognized worldwide. You do however need to translate all docs into English.

Best of luck.

[Boiler 43,576]

I seem to remember that NY does allow you to marry someone more than once weird as it sounds.

[Yousnina 2]

Yea, I actually wrote that incorrectly. I meant to say, do you think the insurance companies will accept the papers.

They are translated into English already. But they are not stamped from the US ministry, just the courts.

I have a job back home already, and want to put him on my insurance ASAP. We will get married again there…..but no need to rush.

I just didn't want any hassle if the papers weren't stamped with a US stamp.

Not that they would really know or anything….as I didn't.

Thanks all!

[Boiler 43,576]

Never heard of needing to supply a marriage cert to get medical insurance.

[Yousnina 2]

Yes, you do. Otherwise everyone would put friends/ boyfriend and girlfriends down to get coverage.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Yes, you do. Otherwise everyone would put friends/ boyfriend and girlfriends down to get coverage.

This amazes me. In Canada I didn't have to supply anything other than my ex husband's name and date of birth for him to be on my insurance. It was actually more difficult to remove him than add.

[Caryh 5,206]

Yes, you do. Otherwise everyone would put friends/ boyfriend and girlfriends down to get coverage.

I've never been asked for a marriage certificate to add a spouse to my insurance through work either. I have been asked for the SS number though. People could lie I suppose and add a friend, bf or gf, but that would also be fraud creating liabilities both civil and possibly criminal.

[teddy k 35]

Hi, i think they might be talking about a life insurance policy not health

[Boiler 43,576]

Hi, i think they might be talking about a life insurance policy not health

That would be relevant on payment.

[teddy k 35]

Hi just a thought

[bowens44 213]

This amazes me. In Canada I didn't have to supply anything other than my ex husband's name and date of birth for him to be on my insurance. It was actually more difficult to remove him than add.

The US is far behind the rest of the industrialized world on most social issues especially healthcare and education. We could learn a lot from Canada and Europe. Unfortunately things are about to get much worse here for all but the wealthy.

[Ismael&Blair 66]

For my employment, they needed both our marriage certificate and his social security number to be added to my health medical (doctor, dental & vision) insurance. However, in terms of life insurance, NO, they don't need any proof.