What are Legal Rules To Marry With Russian Women?

If you resumed to take your international relationship to a new level of commitment, there are certain laws to marry a Russian lady. Depending on where you intend to register a marriage, different laws will apply.

Legal Rules to Marry a Russian Woman Change Depending on the Country

By law, you can enter nuptials with a woman from Russia in her home state, your country, or even the place where you both are foreigners. The marriage will be legal if it has been registered according to the local regulations.
Marriage in your country

Some countries have a special visa for prospective marriage partners (Australia) or fiancées (USA) who are foreign citizens.

For example, visa K-1 in the USA allows to bring a foreign citizen on a 3-month visa, provided you have met in person before. The laws require you to supply evidence of your meeting (plane tickets, copies of hotel bookings, tickets to events you attended, photos of you together showing your romantic involvement, etc). By the end of 90 days the person should be either legally married or leave the USA. For more details see the website of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Other countries such as Canada offer only family reunion visas, which means you have to be legally married before you can bring your Russian wife into the country.

There are immigration lawyers and agents who specialize in marriage visas. Their role is to ensure that all forms and documents are filled in correctly and requests from authorities responded to promptly. Using a lawyer or attorney is not mandatory. Most people who decide to hire a fiancée visa lawyer do it to avoid delays.

Marriage in Russia

Republics of the former Soviet Union have different requirements for registering a marriage with a foreign national. In Russia the rules are written in the Family Code. The foreigner must also abide by the legislation of his country at the same time as the Russian laws.

For example, these may include reaching a higher age than allowed in the Russian Federation, having an agreement of parents, complying with certain terms of engagement, etc. The foreigner must confirm in writing that such local laws of his homeland are being adhered to.

By default, registrations can only happen 30 days after filing an application.

Credentials issued by foreign states should have a Russian translation and Apostille stamp. The Russian translation must be notarized. Usually only one of the local offices in a city is allowed to record nuptials with foreign citizens. You will also require a visa, for which you need a private invitation from your wife-to-be.
Documents required to get married in Russia:

1. Passport
2. Copy of the passport with the Apostille
3. Notarized translation of the passport to Russian
4. Document confirming that the person is not currently married
5. Completed special form of application to register a marriage with a foreign citizen signed by groom and bride

Other documents that could be necessary (depending on your residency):

1. Document confirming that the person is allowed to enter legal contracts
2. Confirmation of address of the permanent place of residence
3. For people who were previously married, certificate of divorce or death of the spouse

One advantage of getting married in Russia is that in this case the foreigner can get a residence permit faster. Having the residential permit allows him to work.

Marriage in a third country

Many Russian women and western men opt to get married in places with uncomplicated requirements to prospective spouses such as Cyprus, Fiji, or Czech Republic. Once the couple got married, they simply obtain an Apostille and then legalize their nuptials at home.

Russian brides love large celebrations but getting married is more important than a large wedding. Thus, your Eastern European fiancée will be happy to have a small ceremony if this means she has her beloved man’s commitment.

For marriage a Russian woman is ready to sacrifice sharing the wedding with family and friends. This is why a romantic service on a beach at a holiday resort may be just the right thing if you don’t want to wait for months for a prospective partner visa.

There are hotel packages that make it affordable and you can combine your wedding with the honeymoon.