Mail Order Bride Legality: The Lowdown On The Industry

Todd Burlesont
7 min readJun 13, 2024

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Are you thinking of getting a mail order bride but still doubt: are mail order brides illegal? Get evidence of why you can consider mail order bride legal in this article.

Are Mail Order Brides Legit In Your State? The Answer Is Here

Did you know that over 10,000 marriages between American men and foreign mail order brides occur every year? It’s a growing trend, but some men still believe this concept of finding partners can be illegal. There’s a part of the truth since some governments impose strict checks to protect their citizens. Let’s check if mail order bride legality has been recognized in your country and is confirmed by laws.

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When people talk about mail order brides, they usually mean using an international dating site or marriage agency to connect with potential partners from other countries. And yes, listed platforms are totally legit, verify identities, work to prevent scams, facilitate real meetings, and have helped thousands find love across borders.

How are mail order brides legal?

Yes, single ladies that guys meet on top-rated mail order bride platforms are legal. These websites implement strict verification procedures to ensure the authenticity of user profiles. New members must provide official identification, record a video introduction, and use an actual email address. Site administrators meticulously review all submitted information and promptly remove any fraudulent accounts. Verified profiles often display a special badge, giving men confidence that they’re interacting with legal brides seeking sincere relationships.

Furthermore, mail order brides are legal when the courting process and marriage outside the dating service follow the laws and regulations of both countries.

For a mail order marriage to be legal, the couple typically must:

  1. Meet in person and establish a genuine relationship
  2. Obtain necessary visas and permits for the bride to travel and marry
  3. Undergo background checks and provide proof of single status
  4. Have a legally recognized ceremony in the country of marriage
  5. Follow proper procedures to obtain a marriage certificate and spousal visa

Thus, work with reputable services and consult with legal experts to ensure compliance with all applicable laws.

Legality of mail order bride by region

There’s good news since the majority of countries don’t ban lonely people from looking for partners abroad. People can register on MOB sites and the operation of such matchmaking companies is allowed at an official level. However, these online platforms should follow basic safety rules and provide their clients with a good level of security.

Getting a visa for a foreign bride you met online has nothing in common with buying a lady. It’s an important step, proving the mail order bride legality. Following all the rules, the process of relocating a desirable girl runs smoothly and painlessly.

Is it legal to marry a mail order bride in the US?

It’s absolutely legal for US men to buy brides, since men pay for communication services with girls. Moreover, the adoption of the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) forced men to pass strict background checks, especially criminal ones. Women who arrive in the US are also protected by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) from domestic violence.

What about mail order bride legality in Canada

Canada allows citizens to sponsor foreign spouses, but has strict requirements. Sponsors must sign a Sponsorship Agreement, pledging to provide for their spouse’s basic needs for 3 years. The couple must prove their relationship is genuine and the sponsor must meet minimum income requirements. Sponsored spouses receive permanent residence upon arrival.

How to make your mail order spouse legal in the UK?

Men have no obstacles to bring brides from other countries to the UK. However, they should be ready to pass through a strict legal process when they decide to nationalize women in the country. The sponsoring partner must meet a minimum income threshold and the foreign spouse must pass an English language test. The couple must provide extensive proof of their genuine relationship. Foreign spouses initially receive a 2.5-year provisional visa before being eligible for permanent residence.

Real and legal mail order brides in Eastern Europe

Many Eastern European countries, such as Poland and Ukraine, have a thriving international dating scene. These marriages are generally legal, but both parties must comply with visa and immigration requirements. Some countries, like Belarus, have specific laws regulating the activities of international marriage brokers to prevent exploitation.

Marrying mail order brides from Western Europe

Most Western European countries allow mail order brides, subject to meeting legal requirements. For example, in Germany, foreign spouses must pass a language test and the couple must demonstrate their relationship is genuine. France requires foreign spouses to obtain a “long stay” visa and prove sufficient financial resources. Laws vary by country, so it’s crucial to research the specific requirements.

Are mail order brides sites illegal in Asia?

The legality of mail order spouses varies widely across Asia. The Philippines, a former hub for mail order brides, now restricts the practice due to concerns about exploitation. Other countries, like Japan and South Korea, have tough visa and sponsorship requirements for foreign spouses to prevent sham marriages. China allows international marriages but requires couples to register in person, effectively prohibiting mail order arrangements.

Can you make It official with a Latin mail order bride?

Many Latin American countries, such as Colombia and Brazil, have a significant number of international couples. These are generally legal, but both parties must comply with the country’s marriage and immigration laws. Some countries, like Mexico, require foreign spouses to obtain a special visa and prove their marriage is not fraudulent.

Are mail order brides real and legal? As you could perceive from this article it’s absolutely lawful to order brides in the majority of countries and lonely men should take advantage of this unique opportunity since it’s the best alternative!

Where is mail order spouse illegal?

Are mail order spouse illegal somewhere? No, there are no countries with 100% prohibitions on mail order brides. Most nations allow the practice but regulate it to varying degrees.

The main reason why so many people doubt the legitimacy of mail order wife platforms is the name of this service. There’s a misconception a woman can be ordered similarly to any goods from an online store and delivered by mail. Naturally, such an attitude toward people is unacceptable since human trafficking is forbidden all over the globe. But does it have anything in common with mail order brides? Nothing, in fact.

Mail order bride services are provided to people who express their own personal desire to fill out the profile and add some personal details to increase chances of finding a partner. They can choose people to communicate with themselves and decide to respond to or ignore messages sent to them. Every man can join the platform, browse girls’ profiles, and start an interaction with some of them.

How to ensure your foreign bride is real?

Although the mail order bride industry is flourishing today, some newbies to online dating still have doubts. There are certain laws protecting men and ladies from illegal activity, abuse, and violence, but the best defense is common sense.

I’ve got some tips to help you make sure your foreign bride is the real deal:

Video chat early and often

  • Insist on video chatting with your potential bride from the start
  • Make sure the video quality is good and the person matches their photos
  • Look for consistency in their appearance and surroundings over multiple chats

Ask for proof of identity

  • Request a copy of your bride’s passport or government-issued ID
  • Verify that the name and photo match the person you’ve been talking to
  • Be wary of anyone who is hesitant or makes excuses about providing proof

Check their social media presence

  • Look for your bride on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
  • Make sure their profiles seem authentic and have a history of posts and interactions
  • Be cautious of profiles that look fake or have very little activity

Get a second opinion

  • Show photos and videos of your bride to trusted friends and family members
  • Ask for their honest opinion on whether the person seems genuine
  • Consider hiring a professional investigator to do a more thorough background check

Meet in person before making any commitments

  • Plan a trip to meet your bride in her home country or a neutral location
  • Spend time together and make sure your connection is genuine
  • Don’t send money or make any financial commitments until you’ve met in person

Listen to your instincts

  • Pay attention to any red flags or gut feelings you have about your bride
  • If something seems too good to be true or just doesn’t feel right, it probably is
  • Don’t let your desire for love and companionship override your common sense

Also, guys may check the information with the help of a marriage broker handling your romance. They can arrange one or several dates before marriage for you to get to know each other better. In case of some doubts and questions like is mail order bride legal, consult a local lawyer or immigration center to feel more protected. Choosing a place for a search, read all the information about the marriage agency to get convinced that mail order brides there are legal. Avoid services promising you can purchase a lady because reliable agencies don’t offer singles for sale. Happy dating, and best of luck in your search for love!

This article features affiliate links, which may provide a modest commission if purchases are made through them.

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Todd Burlesont

Hi! I'm a traveler and self-employed dating coach with 7 years of experience! I think that dating has no borders especially now!