Our marriage is only religious, without civil. Can we apply for F2A?

Let”s begin by understanding that the United States has well-defined rules for a marriage to be recognized for immigration purposes. In the case of the F2A visa, intended for immediate relatives of permanent residents, it is essential that the marriage be legally valid, meaning it has official recognition by the government, usually through civil registration.

Generally, only a religious marriage – without proper civil registration – does not meet the requirements to be considered a legal marriage by U.S. immigration authorities. This means that, in order to file an application under the F2A category, the couple needs to have a marriage recognized by law in the country where it took place or, when applicable, go through a process to have the religious marriage recognized to achieve legal validity.

It is important to emphasize that each situation may involve particularities, and the rules may vary according to the jurisdiction involved. Therefore, it is crucial to follow United States immigration laws and, if necessary, seek guidance from specialized and reliable sources – always taking care to avoid scams or promises of guaranteed results. Avoiding being swayed by marketing campaigns that promise miraculous solutions is a prudent attitude when dealing with immigration matters.

In summary, if the marriage performed is only religious, without civil formalization, it will likely not meet the criteria required for the F2A petition. Thus, it would be necessary first to convert or register this marriage legally, so that the immigration process can be started according to established rules.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.