Are mail order brides legal? If this question is bothering you, then the quick answer to it is surely yes, they are legal. Looking for a foreign bride abroad is possible and attainable via international marriage agencies or online dating sites.
Before exploring the topic further, let’s examine the stats about mail-order marriages among daters from different countries.
- In 2023, the United States issued more than 19,000 K-1 visas for mail order spouses.
- In the same year, surveys stated that 78% of males who married foreign women met them on dating platforms.
- Success rates reach 85% between American men and ladies from Latin America, 91% with young women from Asian countries, and 96% with ladies from Eastern Europe.
Who Are Let Mail Order Brides?
Before answering the question, “Are mail order brides legal?” let’s look at the concept. The mail order bride meaning is simple: they are foreign brides who join mail order bride services, aiming to date and marry foreign spouses. A legit mail order bride chooses a reputable site where she is fully protected by the support team and other safety measures.
Her background can be different, starting from major cities in Western Europe to poorer areas in Asian regions. The expectations of each mail bride whirl around protection and legal marriage with a loving spouse.
Mail order brides entering dating sites create profiles with all the information about their needs and preferences in males. A typical US resident and a Canadian citizen could be the top interest on her site. Mail women are searching for loving international husbands who would take care of them, start healthy relationships, that would gradually move to a marriage story.
Such brides are okay with leading long-distance relationships first and later relocating to their spouse’s country to settle for a fresh life there. The top rated mail order bride sites are equipped with personality verification, an active support team, and transparent monetary support, which adds to general safety on the platform.
Is Mail Order Brides Legal? What Proves Its Legality?
Are mail order spouse illegal? Factually speaking, no. Modern international dating sites offering profiles of single mail order brides are designed to create serious-legal international connections. Overall, aside from joining the liable dating website, foreign men can be assured that every legitimate mail order bride is protected by two major laws.
- International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA). It is designed to protect women who become mail order brides and marry foreign men against human trafficking and different types of abuse. The law requires marriage agencies to conduct background checks and provide women with essential information about their potential spouses.
- Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The latest federal law was confirmed in 2022. It’s essential in preventing domestic and sexual abuse and providing relevant care to its victims. The following regulation covers legal and medical assistance to violence reduction practices, and economic safety provisions.
Another legal aspect contributing to the legality of mail order brides is the K-1 visa. This essential bride visa helps a woman from a foreign country legally marry in the United States. So, is mail order bride illegal? The answer is yes.
Are Mail Order Brides Legal in Other Countries?
Both mail order brides and mail order husbands are legal across the globe. Whether you’re searching for Vietnamese women, Polish girls, or Cuban wives, you are able to find a mail order bride legal from any location.
Let’s consider each particular country with international brides.
- United States. This country is the key location for legal brides and has high rates of international marriage. In fact, we already discussed two major acts (IMBRA and VAWA) designed to protect females from sexual, physical, and domestic violence. Also, as was mentioned, the K-1 visa is the major document for legally marrying a foreign partner in the United States. Later, this bride can apply for United States citizenship and get more opportunities for a sustainable life there.
- Canada. Mail order spouses are also legal in Canada. Essentially, a bride and a groom should not be relatives, must be 18 years and older, and be free of previous marriages.
- UK. Marriage with mail order brides is also possible in the United Kingdom under the Marriage with Foreigners Act 1906. A mail bride can also apply for a family visa and gain entry into the UK. Once a foreign bride comes to the UK, she and the groom need to fulfill other legal requirements to marry each other.
- Australia. Foreign marriages with Australian brides fall under the same regulations as marriages between local citizens. Brides from other countries can also apply for a Prospective Marriage visa, which allows women to stay longer in Australia to plan and host a wedding and study there.
- Asia. In almost all Asian countries, immigration laws and other marriage procedures remain the same. Mail-order bride services are legal in most areas, and a K-1 visa is the crucial document perpetuating foreign marriages with Asian women.
- European countries. International marriages via mail order bride services are also legal in all European countries. For instance, in Germany, foreign brides can apply for a visa to join their partners there. Evidence of accommodation and financial support are the basic requirements to obtain the visa.
All international brides are protected by mail order bride acts. But depending on the country, you will need to apply for different visas and go through other legal procedures.
Is Mail Order Bride Illegal in Some Locations?
Are mail order brides illegal anywhere? Yes, there are a few countries where interracial marriages are prohibited, which makes mail brides illegal for locals.
Strict rules apply in countries such as the Philippines, Syria, Afghanistan, and North Korea. For example, according to the Republic Act, marriage agencies are prohibited in the Philippines. The current law protects local girls from “human trafficking rings.” Nevertheless, international dating sites are allowed in this country. Therefore, if you want to date a Filipina lady, it’s possible to find her on a trustworthy site and eventually marry her.
Some Muslim states ban international marriages between local women and foreign men, or those who have a different religion.
Still, international sites work well here anyway. As long as you’re using a specific platform with all the safety measures provided, you can connect to beautiful mail order brides from all the countries you desire.
How to Marry a Legit Mail Order Bride in the United States?
The K-1 visa is the foremost document to marry legit mail order brides. More women now are using dating services to engage with US guys, and most of them are ready for marriage and relocation. In many cases, online dating is the first step in building couples who end up applying for this marriage visa. But let’s look at the step-by-step instructions on how to marry an overseas bride legally:
- Find the liable site and join it for free.
- Create a detailed profile with your information.
- Use search filters and interact with one mail bride until you get connected on another level and have a real date.
- Propose to her and wait for her consent.
- You as a U.S. citizen sponsor must file Form I-129.
- Your bride needs to apply for the K-1 visa and provide all the required documents, including the completed Form DS-160, a passport, birth certificate, divorce or death certificate, medical examination, evidence of financial support, two photographs, and payment of fees.
- Provide photos and videos of your actual meetups to the commission.
A couple needs to see each other in person at least once if they want to obtain a visa. After the interview, wait for a few months, and upon confirmation, buy a ticket for your bride to the States. Within the first 90 days, you marry each other legally. The cost of the K-1 visa is included in the mail order bride pricing.
How to Avoid Scam When Looking for a Legitimate Mail Order Bride?
From our experience, we acknowledge that online romance scams are still a thing. The most popular ones are two scams:
- Catfishing
- Monetary
Catfishing scams often happen when a person using online dating sites pretends to be someone else. He or she creates a profile utilizing photos of another person. Monetary scams occur when a user tries to get your money through various manipulations, such as referring to disease or financial problems.
The good news is that all these scams can be abolished, and here are a few things you can do to avoid falling into their traps.
- Use Reversed Google images to see whether the photo of a user is real.
- Propose a video call (in 100% of cases, catfishers avoid videos all the time).
- Get suspicious when someone tries to ask you for money (contact the support team when it happens, and they will block the user).
- Avoid giving your private information, like your insurance info or anything like that.
Remember, transnational marriages can be safe and if you want to find a bride in USA or anywhere else, ensure you’re using the right platform and follow the tips above.
Conclusion: Is Mail Order Bride Legal?
Today, we discussed this question and can conclude that mail brides are legal worldwide. It’s possible to meet them on reliable online dating websites, which are designed to provide safety and results with international women.
Mail order brides are protected against domestic abuse and other adverse situations by laws. Everyone can marry a foreign bride after meeting her on the mail bride service, where relationships thrive, ending up in marriage.
