Are Mail Order Brides Legal in 2024?
You can leave now or stick around to learn more about foreign brides. There’s a lot to consider when looking for a legit mail-order bride from another country, especially with the growing number of foreign dating sites. Intermarriage rates are rising; in the United States, the percentage of newlyweds marrying someone of a different race or ethnicity jumped from 3% to 17% by 2015.
In total, over 670,000 newlyweds had recently gotten hitched, and it’s likely many of them didn’t even live in the USA before. So, if you’re wondering about the legality of mail order brides, keep reading.
To cut to the chase, yes, mail order brides and dating girls from other countries are legal.
How to Find Legal Mail Order Brides?
So, you might be wondering, where can you legally find mail order brides? Sure, mail order brides are legal, but not everyone on these sites plays by the rules. The whole industry has its quirks, and knowing where to look is crucial to avoid any illegal mishaps.
We’ve dug into this topic and found the best ways to safely find a mail order spouse. We’ve split the options into online and offline methods and are ready to spill the beans on how to meet international brides and grooms without any legal headaches.
Legal Ways to Meet Mail Order Brides Offline
One option is the offline route, which means traveling to a particular country to meet your potential partner or joining a mail order bride tour. Let’s break down both options.
Traveling Abroad to Find a Mail Order Bride
You can hop on a plane to countries known for mail order brides, like Thailand or Japan. Planning a solo trip isn’t a walk in the park, but it’s totally legal. Plus, you get to soak up the local culture and meet potential partners face-to-face.
However, if dropping a few thousand dollars on travel isn’t in your budget, there are other ways to meet a potential spouse.
Joining Mail Order Bride Tours
This route also involves traveling, but everything is organized by an international marriage agency. They handle everything from flights to hotel bookings.
These agencies pick potential partners for you, but don’t worry, they won’t just hand out addresses. They set up solo or group trips with events where you can meet preselected matches.
Are Mail Order Brides Illegal Online?
Nope, they’re not illegal at all!
Legit mail order bride sites, international marriage agencies, and marriage brokers are completely legal. They don’t break any laws.
In fact, using mail order bride services online is a super common way to find a foreign bride. But why do people go for mail order bride services?
It’s Popular
Millions of singles searching for serious relationships often turn to legit mail order bride sites, like this one:
- SofiaDate — A leading platform to connect with beautiful European women for romance or serious relationships.
- SakuraDate — A premier site for chatting and meeting attractive Asian singles with ease.
- LatiDate — A vibrant community for finding love and friendship with Latin American singles, offering diverse ways to communicate.
It’s tricky to get exact numbers since most platforms don’t share member counts. However, the top mail order bride websites have around 1–3 million monthly visitors, according to SimilarWeb. So, searching for a foreign bride isn’t rare at all. Even if you haven’t tried it, chances are someone you know has.
It’s Easy
One reason these international dating sites are so popular is that they require little effort. You don’t need to go anywhere or even dress up to start looking for a potential mail order spouse.
Plus, you can be anywhere in the world because mail order bride websites are accessible globally.
It’s Effective
Specialized sites make dating more effective by bringing together people with the same relationship goals. You don’t have to waste time on social media or regular dating sites hoping to find someone interested in a serious relationship. Mail order bride services simplify the search, communication, and meeting process.
It’s Budget-Friendly
Legit mail order bride agencies come in various price ranges. We haven’t found any completely free platforms with good reviews, but there are plenty of sites that are partly paid. Some use a credit-based system (you buy credits for advanced features), while others have subscription plans (monthly or yearly).
Finding legit mail order bride websites can be tricky. You need to know where to look to ensure your safety.
Best Countries to Find Mail Order Brides Legally
Here are the top countries where US men find their foreign spouses:
- Philippines — Filipino brides are incredibly popular, not just in Asia but worldwide. In 2019 alone, 7,134 Filipino women came to the US as fiancées.
- Mexico — Mexican women are the most sought-after partners in Latin America. In 2019, 1,676 American men married Mexican women.
- Ukraine — Ukrainian women are highly favored in Eastern Europe. In 2019, 860 couples with Ukrainian brides were recorded in the US.
- Russia — Russian women are also popular among American men. In 2019, 1,234 Russian women moved to the US to marry.
- Thailand — Thai brides are well-loved, with 1,098 Thai women coming to the US as fiancées in 2019.
Marrying and building relationships with women from these and other countries is entirely legal and recognized by the US, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, and beyond.
What Are the Laws for Mail Order Brides?
Wondering if mail order brides are legal? Are they real? What laws are involved? It’s important to ask these questions before jumping into such a big decision. There are laws in place to ensure the rights of both parties in international marriages. Two key laws that often come into play for mail order marriages are:
- The International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) This act requires authorities to perform background checks on anyone sponsoring a marriage visa and sets strict rules for mail order brides coming to a foreign country.
- The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) This law specifically protects women, providing legal support in cases of stalking, sexual assault, domestic violence, and similar issues.
These laws are significant for mail order marriages in the U.S., but keep in mind that the specifics can vary in different countries.
IMBRA & VAWA: What’s the Deal?
Both IMBRA and VAWA were made to protect women from abuse and the risks they might face from foreign partners. Let’s break down what these laws have in common.
IMBRA
You might think IMBRA (The International Marriage Broker Regulation Act) is just about controlling the industry in the US, but there’s more to it. This law requires agencies to check if their male clients have any history of domestic or criminal violence. If a guy has been charged or convicted of a crime, the agency has to let the bride know.
One of the main aims of this act is safety. Sure, the US government wants to keep track of who’s coming into the country, but they also want to ensure everyone feels and stays safe once they’re here.
VAWA
Now, let’s talk about VAWA. This act was designed to protect women in the US from domestic violence and child abuse. The great thing about VAWA is that it also protects mail-order brides, who, unfortunately, often face these issues, especially Latin ladies looking for marriage.
Impact of IMBRA & VAWA
The impact of these laws on the industry has been huge. Women no longer have to stay with an abuser just to avoid being left without financial support or being forced to leave the country.
They’re now protected by law, which is a win-win for everyone. More women feel safe joining dating sites, knowing they won’t be helpless in a foreign country.
Mail Order Bride Laws Around the World
When it comes to mail order brides, there are a few key legal points to know. If you meet in person, have a genuine relationship, didn’t pay for a bride, and can prove all this, you’re likely to avoid legal issues.
We’ve looked into laws in various countries to help you understand how international relationships are regulated globally. Basically, if you know your future wife well and treat her right, you’ll just need to get a visa (there are specific forms for foreign fiancés). That’s it.
Let’s check out how it works in different countries.
USA Regulations
In the US, marriage agencies and international dating platforms are legal, as are relationships and marriages with non-citizens. These marriages are governed by IMBRA, as well as family and immigration laws. Only US citizens can bring fiancées to marry in the country.
There are two legal ways to bring your foreign fiancée or wife to the USA:
- Get a K-1 visa, marry in the US, and then apply for an adjustment.
- Marry abroad and apply for a K-3 visa later.
So, are mail order brides legal in the USA? Absolutely!
UK Regulations
In the UK, transnational marriages are legal and common. To marry a foreign citizen, a couple can get a Marriage Visitor visa for a short stay. For a longer stay, a Family (Fiancée) Visa is needed, which requires a marriage license, meeting the minimum income rate, and proving the relationship’s authenticity.
Canada Regulations
Canada’s laws on mail order spouses are based on the US International Marriage Broker Act but are a bit less strict. There are clear income requirements for sponsors. A Canadian citizen can sponsor a visa through the Family Sponsorship Program, but marriage is required first. So, are mail order spouses illegal in Canada? Not at all.
Other Countries’ Regulations
- Australia: Mail brides can marry easily, but reduced government “benefits” have decreased official international marriage rates.
- Switzerland: Marrying a local or a foreigner is almost the same. A foreign spouse gets easier access to Swiss citizenship.
- Japan: A Spouse visa is available for international couples wanting to marry in Japan. However, becoming a resident doesn’t depend on marital status.
Are Mail Order Brides Illegal Anywhere?
Are mail order spouses illegal anywhere else? There might be religious restrictions rather than legal ones. For instance, Israeli Jews are often encouraged to marry within their faith. Similarly, in Muslim countries, men may marry outside their country only to Christians or Jews (People of the Book).
Are Mail Order Brides Legal in Their Home Countries?
Absolutely, mail order brides are legal in their home countries. If you’re familiar with the concept, it’s pretty clear. These women are looking for a partner from another country, and they use a third party like a site, platform, or agency to help find and connect with potential spouses. Essentially, it’s like a long-distance relationship, which is legal everywhere.
Keep in mind, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. It’s just the most typical way to go about it if you’re thinking about marrying a mail order bride from another country.
Final Word
A mail order spouse is 100% legal! While the first mail order brides might have had their doubts, today, it’s not only legal in almost all countries but also pretty common. So, if you’re interested in online dating, there’s nothing legally stopping you from giving it a shot.
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