Menu
Expat.com

Recognize Brazilian Marriage in USA

Post new topic

acornbringer

Hi there!

I'm a US citizen who got married while in Brazil to a Brazilian citizen. My wife and I are wondering where we can learn more about the process of getting our marriage recognized in the United States to make travel easier and extended living possible. We aren't sure about what documents we need and how they should be citified here in Brazil before we fly them to the US on our next trip.

Thanks :)

dmd0705

I found the following information on the internet, but you should always verify it with the proper authorities instead of relying on regular people to advise you. You may want to call the U.S. Consulate in Sao Paulo and/or consult an immigration lawyer.
There are forms that you, as the American citizen, and she as your wife will require to be completed, approved, and sent to the U.S. Consulate for visa application. She may not just come to the U.S. after you marry to request a visitor status with the intent to reside permanently in the U.S. If the marriage performed in Brazil is legal according to Brazilian law and you are both single and eligible to be married, then it will be recognized as legal in the U.S., to include for immigration purposes.

acornbringer

Okay then! We will contact the U.S. Consulate in Sao Paulo to see if they can fill us in on exactly what we will need to get this process started.

Thanks for the reply!

twostep

Your wife has several options.

B2 Visitor Visa as Brazil is not part of ESTA/VWP
Green Card based on marriage with US citizen
There are options via employer, investment, ...
Pull up travel.state.gov. It is an official site and will walk you through every visa option forms to fees.
Have you kept up with your US income tax filings? You will need them should she decide to the Green Card route.

Articles to help you in your expat project in the USA

  • Marriage in the United States
    Marriage in the United States

    Marriage is a contract that commits two people emotionally, legally, and materially. In the US, both same-sex and ...

  • Traveling to the USA
    Traveling to the USA

    If you're an expat planning to travel to the United States for the first time, you should know several ...

  • Customs in the USA
    Customs in the USA

    There are many restrictions regarding goods that can be imported in the United States (drugs, Cuban cigars, ...

  • How to Vote (in the US) from Overseas
    How to Vote (in the US) from Overseas

    Federal law guarantees Americans living overseas the right to vote in federal elections, no matter where they ...

  • Dating in the USA
    Dating in the USA

    Dating anywhere in the world can be nerve-wracking, but dating in a foreign country can be especially ...

  • The American lifestyle
    The American lifestyle

    The United States is a vast country that is made up of a diverse group of people. Life, landscape, and culture can ...

  • Using phones in the USA
    Using phones in the USA

    Staying connected with loved ones while in the United States  – not to mention all the other reasons ...

  • Leisure activities in New York City
    Leisure activities in New York City

    Regardless of the season or the weather, New York is a city that remains both vibrant and lively all year round. ...

All of the USA's guide articles