A lot of people have asked whether they need to do a formal wedding ceremony before applying for a green card through marriage. The short answer is no. The primary requirement for a U.S. citizen to sponsor a foreign spouse is that they are legally married. The definition of “legally married” can vary depending on the state, country, or jurisdiction in which the marriage took place. In the United States, most states and counties allow being to get married through a civil ceremony at a local courthouse. The important thing is that the marriage is legally recognized wherever it took place.
A lot of people will do civil ceremonies first so that they can get the ball rolling on the green card application. Then, they plan a formal wedding ceremony later on with friends and family. The only real upside to having a wedding ceremony first is that photos from the event can be submitted with the green card application as proof of the bona fide relationship.
