Legal Question in Immigration Law in Australia

Marrying a non-citizen

My boyfriend and I are talking about getting married in Hawaii. He is Australian and I am a U.S. citizen.

If we're living in Australia at the time we get married and fly to Hawaii for the marriage, is it as simple as flying back to Australia? Will the marriage be recognized there? What would I need to do for the Australian government?

What would we need to do if we move back to the U.S.?

If we're in the U.S., he will already be here on a work visa, what steps would we need to take then?


Asked on 7/20/08, 8:15 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Marc Seguinot Seguinot & Associates, P.C.

Re: Marrying a non-citizen

When you get married in Hawaii, your marriage will be recognized all over the United States, and in virtually any country. Now, getting your husband back to the U.S. may be a problem. How did he obtain a work authorization? Does he have a petition pending by a sponsor in the U.S. You had better make sure he is admissible to the U.S. or you may be disappointed about a wedding in Hawaii. Presuming he gets into Hawaii (you won't have trouble), but let's say he gets into Hawaii and you marry -- now you will be the spouse of an Australian, and, as long as you have evidence of your marriage, you should be allowed in with conditions. I don't know what they are, but you can easily check with the Australian Embassy. Good luck!

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Answered on 7/20/08, 5:00 pm


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