Legal Question in Family Law in New York

Married abroad, what now?

My wife and I were married abroad and have a foreign marriage license. We now live in New York, and the only way to get a New York marriage certificate is to get married again by the county clerk. Is there any reason that we need to do this?

A second question: My wife wants to change her name to mine, and did not do so in the country where we were married. There are two possible ways of changing her name in New York. One is to get married by the county clerk and then ask for a simultaneous name change, which then happens automatically. The other is to go through the regular name change process, but without getting a marriage license and getting married in New York. Which is the best way to go?


Asked on 10/18/07, 9:04 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Kristen Browde Browde Law, P.C.

Re: Married abroad, what now?

Assuming you have a valid foreign marriage and an appropriate certification, there's no reason to go through the County Clerk remarriage. As to the name change, it's your choice. Either way works.

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Answered on 10/18/07, 9:09 am


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