Marriage in Laos
A new decree governing marriage between foreigners and Lao citizens went into effect on December 19, 1994. Enforcement did not begin until late May 1995, and to date, the degree and consistency of enforcement have varied widely with individual cases.
The new decree applies to all foreigners who wish to marry Lao citizens, although it is the Embassy's experience that it is relatively easier for Lao-Americans to obtain the proper Lao Government approvals than it is for other Americans. The Lao marriage law has no provision for marriages between two foreigners, and the Lao Government will not issue a marriage certificate to two foreigners.
American citizens who wish to marry a Lao citizen are urged to come to the U.S. Embassy on their arrival in Laos to review the requirements imposed by the Lao Government. A marriage certificate will not be issued by the Lao Government if the correct procedures have not been followed. Any attempt to circumvent Lao law governing the marriage of Lao citizens to foreigners may result in deportation of the foreigner and denial of permission to re-enter Laos.
Although U.S. legal permanent resident aliens (green card holders) are Lao citizens and technically not subject to the Lao marriage law for foreigners, in practice, U.S. green card holders are required by the Lao Government to follow the same procedures as foreigners.
The Lao Government administrative fees to process marriage paperwork are subject to change without notice; however, prior to paying any fee higher than those stated below, Americans should check with the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy will call the appropriate Lao Government officials to confirm the amount of the fee. A number of U.S. citizens have been asked to pay amounts much larger than the official fees. The Embassy discourages payment of such fees. Payment of "unofficial" fees sets a bad precedent for others and almost guarantees requests for additional payments. The Embassy urges U.S. citizens in the process of marriage to a Lao citizen to report any requests for fees over those mentioned herein to the U.S. Embassy.
The Lao decree governing marriage of Lao citizens to foreigners requires that the parties to the marriage present the following documents to the provincial administrator, or in Vientiane, to the administrator of the Vientiane Prefecture:
- Request to marry ("to form a new family") approved by the chief of the village (the local administrative authority) of residence of the Lao citizen;
- Affidavit of residence for both parties;
- Curriculum Vitae for both parties;
- Identification card, passport, or other proof of identity for both parties;
- Medical examination from country of residence for both parties;
- Affidavit of martial status for both parties (for American to be notarized at the U.S. Embassy);
- Police record from place of residence for both parties;
- Three photographs of each party;
- Affidavit by both parties guaranteeing the return of the spouse to Lao citizen spouse;
- Proof of foreigner's employment and ability to support Lao citizen spouse;
- Approval by the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs of affidavit of marital status notarized at U.S. Embassy --2,500 kip; and
- Payment of 30.000 kip fee to the provincial administrator.
When the documents have been presented to the provincial administrator, the processing time is about two or three weeks. This time can vary by province and change without notice. If the marriage is approved, the provincial administrator issues an authorization to marry ("permission to form a family,) and the marriage ceremony may be held in the presence of the chief of the village of the Lao citizen.
After the marriage ceremony, the chief of village issues a marriage certificate ("husband-wife document.") This document is to be used for filing an I-130 immigrant visa petition with the U.S. Embassy or with the Immigration and Naturalization service in the United States.
related to preparation of Documents Required for a Marriages Abroad for submission in foreign countries.
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Prepare or Retrieval the necessary Documentsfor Marriages Abroad |
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Obtain an Apostille (for Hague Convention countries) or Embassy Legalization (for non-Hague countries) |
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Translate the Documents into the target language |
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Have the Marriages Abroad authenticated by the Consulate or Embassy of the target country |
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