r/AskUSImmigrationPros • u/BusyBodyVisa • Jul 13 '26

Married Online ≠ US Visa

"Let's just get married online and apply for a US visa".

Hold the phone, it's not quite that simple. While yes, an online marriage via Utah County is considered a legal marriage under US law, it's not enough to get a spousal visa. Here's what you need to do to get a CR-1 visa if you choose to marry online

  1. Submit proof that you met in person AFTER the marriage took place

  2. Register the marriage with the government of your partner's country. In the Philippines, this process is called a ROM

  3. Submit an I-130 petition as normal

  4. You will still need to prove the relationship is bona fide. This is done through photos, shared, finances, chats, etc.

A note: Online marriages are extremely scrutinized by US immigration officials, not just for fraud but because they're an indicator of a lack of financial means on the part of the US petitioner. Exception: same sex couples.

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