Eloping in the US (Canadian and American)

[PhBee]

Hello folks!

I'm not sure if this is in the right spot, but I'm hoping someone out there might be able to help me. HTB and I have been together two years and are booked for a destination wedding in April (huzzah!), but there is a slight chance we might go with something else, and that something else might be eloping in the US. We're eloping either way (and having a family dinner in Canada a week afterward, so there will be some 'family mingling' type pictures; no worries there!), so that's not the issue, but I am wondering - as a Canadian and American, are we able to elope in the US? I know there's the whole 'fiance visa' thing for non-US residents marrying US citizens, but it seems like they're used for folks who are planning on staying in the US - which won't be the case for us, as he'll be moving here. I know we could elope in Canada, but he has been divorced (for 10 years now) and from what I understand, he requires some sort of letter form a lawyer stating 'why his US divorce should be recognized in Canada' in order to get the marriage license. A bit of a headache that we'd like to avoid if we could.
So! Any insight is very much appreciated. Thanks! And soon enough I'll be joining the ranks of 'anxiously waiting'

 

[Creampop]

Yes you can elope to US. and depending on the province, like Ontario he would need a letter from the Ministry of Government... My husband and I met online in 1999 and met the first time in person in Niagara Falls, so when we decided to get married we wanted to do it there but I was divorced so we crossed into Niagara Falls US and got a marriage certificate issued that day all we needed were our passports, you have to wait 24 hours to use it and we got married. don't tell the IO your eloping he may detain you longer or even deny you entry they think because your marrying American you want to stay in America. When you cross back if your husband wants to come back and wait the process here with you just show your marriage certificate or receipt you may not have certificate that fast, tell them you are filing for his PR have the receipt from the bank or online that you paid the PR processing fee and ask for a visitor's record be good anywhere from 6 months to a year believe someone here said they had gotten 2 years. Good Luck!

 

[lyssabeths]

It depends on which state you want to elope to. I am a wedding officiant in Oregon, California and Colorado and none of those states have a residency requirement. And your marriage will be legally recognized in Canada, so no worries. Your best bet is to check with the County Clerk's office in the county and state where you want to be married.

Good Luck!
Maureen
ElopeUSA(dot)com

 

[PhBee]

Thanks folks! I figured the border guards might be a bit iffy, though I'm not planning on moving to the US. Still, I suppose that's the assumption - that I'll move there. It's entirely likely that we'll stick with the destination wedding, but good to know what our options are.
Thanks again!