U.S. Citizens married in Italy

[anathema]

We married 7 years ago during vacation in an Italian Civil ceremony with all the required Italian legal paperwork. Upon our return, we did NOT file/register any paperwork in the U.S. to recognize the marriage here. Shortly after our return, we ended our relationship. Neither of us considered ourselves married here and we are still on cordial terms. There are no children and there is nothing to contest for either of us (mutually agreed on). Due to personal reasons, neither of us want to file for divorce in the U.S. and an Italian divorce is ridiculously complex and expensive. Is there any reason too? Are we even legally married here in the U.S.?

[AFFA]

I wish to inform you that you are married as per US law. Generally US recognizes all wedding performed legally in foreign country which can also be performed in USA. As your Italian marriage is a valid marriage as per laws of Italy therefore it will be recognized in USA. Further, you will have to take divorce in USA if you intend to end marriage.

AFF

[Friend In Court]

Originally Posted by anathema We married 7 years ago during vacation in an Italian Civil ceremony with all the required Italian legal paperwork. Upon our return, we did NOT file/register any paperwork in the U.S. to recognize the marriage here. Shortly after our return, we ended our relationship. Neither of us considered ourselves married here and we are still on cordial terms. There are no children and there is nothing to contest for either of us (mutually agreed on). Due to personal reasons, neither of us want to file for divorce in the U.S. and an Italian divorce is ridiculously complex and expensive. Is there any reason too? Are we even legally married here in the U.S.?

Since you married in Italy, according to their law, that marriage is recognized as valid in the U.S. If you want to be single again, you have to dissolve your marriage contracted in Italy . Forget your personal reasons, that is the law.

One does not have to "register" a marriage in the U.S. to have it held as valid.

Filing for divorce has been made very simple in all U.S. states. No fault divorce is the process, a simple one of filling out the forms, filing them and then after the statutory time, divorce -- called a decree of dissolution is entered.

But until you go through that process, you are still married in the eyes of US laws. If either of you marry another, without obtaining a divorce, you will be guilty of bigamy -- a felony crime.