If you are currently in the middle of planning your upcoming wedding, congratulations! At Online Marriage, we are aware that there are a variety of scenarios that may make the logistics of your wedding difficult to pencil in. Whether you and your significant other live in separate countries, are actively deployed in the military, or are currently physically apart for any other reason, you still deserve the chance to solidify your forever together. In this blog, we take a deep dive into proxy marriages, a type of marriage that may be the perfect avenue toward the union that you and your fiancé are entitled to.
What is a Proxy Marriage?
Proxy marriage is a legal marriage in which someone else “stands in ” on behalf of one or both of the parties who are not physically present. Also called “marriage by proxy “, proxy marriages are not legal in most states, and they are usually restricted even in the places they are legal.
Typically, proxy marriages are only available for extreme cases such as military deployment. In such cases, a proxy marriage helps ensure that both parties are eligible for military benefits such as healthcare and housing allowances in the event that the deployed individual is injured in action.
Proxy Marriage vs. Online Marriage
Online marriages refer to legal marriages that take place online, and they are not the same as proxy marriages.
In an online marriage, no one is “standing in ” for a person who is not physically present. Rather, both parties are present online via web conference. Online marriages are only available in a handful of jurisdictions right now, and you cannot get legally married online with a marriage license from most states.
While that may paint a bleak picture for online marriage, we instead intend to emphasize the importance of consulting with a reputable organization when planning your online marriage. At Online Marriage, we are aware of the fact that marriage laws are changing now more than ever in the wake of the pandemic and amid the current technological boom. We’ve been at the forefront of legal marriage services for years, and our team has performed thousands of marriages for couples from all around the world.
Curious which option suits your situation best, proxy marriage vs. online marriage? Head over to our Online Marriage Eligibility Requirements page to gauge whether an online marriage will work for you!
Are Proxy Marriages Legal?
If a proxy marriage is conducted in accordance with the laws of the county or state that issued the marriage license, and that jurisdiction allows proxy marriages, then it is a legal marriage! Currently, proxy marriages are legal in the following states:
- California
- Montana
- Colorado
- Missouri
- Texas
Double proxy marriages (marriages in which both members of the marriage party use a proxy) are currently only legal in the state of Montana. While the above list is not extensive by any means, it is worth keeping in mind that the union will be recognized as a legal marriage by the US federal government in all 50 states. Critically, be sure to keep in mind that proxy marriages are treated differently than in-person marriages for the purposes of immigration.
Proxy Marriage for Immigration
A proxy marriage for immigration purposes seems like the perfect solution on paper, but there are a few considerations you should be familiar with before pursuing that route. Most importantly, you should be aware that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) differentiates proxy marriages from other in-person marriages where both parties are physically present.
For the purposes of citizenship, a proxy marriage does not constitute a lawful union. However, a legal proxy marriage can be used with the end goal of allowing a spouse to legally obtain a green card and move to the United States. From there, a few steps must be completed for USCIS to recognize the union. Most notably, the couple must prove that they physically met in person and had the opportunity to “consummate the marriage ” at some point after the proxy marriage, but before the application for citizenship is filed.
Are You Ready to Get Married Online? Let’s Make it Happen!
Online Marriage makes it easy to get married online legally and securely, in as little as one business day. Regardless of your nationality, gender, orientation, or physical location, you are welcome here! Ready to get started? View our package pricing or book now!