Korean Job Discussion Forums

joeteacher · Joined: 11 Jul 2007

So I'm one of those white american guys who's marrying a Korean...anyone have experience doing this (I'm sure you're out there, girl or guy)?

What's easier? Marrying in Korea or Marrying in America?

If I get married here am I automatically married in the states (we plan to move there in a few years) or do I have to go through a lot more stuff?

I'm at the beginning stages of this process...reading through all the what-not and so forths, so I don't really know what to do yet. Just looking for some input. Thanks!

adeline · Joined: 19 Nov 2007

in general legal marriage ceremonies performed abroad are recognized in the US but you will have to check with the state you will be living in, if its not recognized you may want to look into getting married in that state as well so that you don't have a problem if/when you move back.

Bailsibub · Joined: 22 Dec 2006

Congrats.

Getting married here was easy, you just gotta get the right docs, then go embassy hopping a couple times. It's pretty easy because the Korean agency is right behind the American embassy.

When you register your marriage here, you are married in both Korea and the US.

joeteacher · Joined: 11 Jul 2007

Thanks you two..much appreciated!

bizrandom · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Location: Busan

hey joe... good to see you here. we have to team up to get more umph love in SK!

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

What sort of K-girl would marry an English teacher? Shocked

MissSeoul · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Somewhere in America

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

joeteacher · Joined: 11 Jul 2007

joeteacher · Joined: 11 Jul 2007

Fredbob · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject:

I did this last year, the guy at the US embassy said that in order for the marriage to be recognized in the US it would have to be reported to a state office, pretty sure that means that you can just bring the documents from Korea. I was actually a little insulted, with his tone and the fact that he repeated it more than twice, he seemed to be saying that if I just wanted to ditch my wife sometime in the future, I could just leave Korea and if we had never gone over to the US and registered there the marriage wouldn't be recognized.

I believe that the embassy itself will recognize whatever the K gov gives you for the purpose of immigrating though. I know, it's strange but, marriage licenses in the US are issued by the state, not the federal, government.

I'm not planning on going back to the US anytime soon, so we took a honeymoon and stopped by in Vegas just in case somehow the rules change in the future. -And it was more fun than spending time in a government office.