usa citizen & indian citizen getting married in usa...

[auditorpnine]

my daughter(26), a cpa, is now a usa citizen (naturalised in nov2023 after 5yrs lpr)..
she's decided to get married to an indian citizen(27) - working in usa since 2 yrs, on h1b visa.
(both - hindu/gujarati)

1.steps/procedure to get 'legally' married in usa?.
(just get married-no pomp/spendour...,will perform our hindu tradition rituals with both families/relatives/friends...present, when the couple arrives india in 2025)
-i am the girl's father, so i WANT them to get married asap-

2. would they have to visit the indian consulate/embassy to get married or where?

3. cost/fees (ball-park)

4. if they get married in aug2024, when will the boy/husband be eiligible for marriage based green card.

thank you

[ColbyLawson]

Hello there!

Based on what I know, here’s a brief rundown of the steps and considerations for your daughter and her fiancé:

1. Getting Legally Married in the USA: They’ll need to obtain a marriage license from the local county clerk’s office where they reside. The requirements can vary by state, but generally, they’ll need identification and possibly other documents. Once they have the license, they can have a civil ceremony or a religious one that complies with state laws. I suggest checking the specific requirements for their state.
2. Visiting the Indian Consulate/Embassy: For the marriage to be recognized in India, they might need to register it at the Indian consulate or embassy. However, this is typically for marriages that take place in India. I suppose for a marriage in the USA, it’s not necessary unless they want to record it in Indian records.
3. Cost/Fees: The cost for a marriage license and ceremony can vary widely depending on the state and the type of ceremony they choose. I suggest budgeting a few hundred dollars as a ballpark figure, but they should check with their local county clerk for exact fees.
4. Eligibility for Marriage-Based Green Card: If they marry in August 2024, the husband could be eligible to apply for a marriage-based green card immediately after the marriage. The processing time can vary, but it’s generally advisable to apply as soon as possible after the wedding.

I hope this helps, and I wish your daughter and her fiancé all the best for their upcoming wedding and life together!