I have enjoyed the honor of marrying couples from all over the world. Couples from Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Wales, and Bulgaria have come to Lake Tahoe, Nevada to be wed by me. One couple was Bulgarian, and lived in Canada; their best friends–also Bulgarian nationals–came all the way from Minnesota to act as witnesses for this splendid ceremony at Logan Shoals. When foreigners who are not American citizens wish to marry in America, they must go through a bit of extra paperwork. When they return to their country, officials want more than just a signed Marriage License as proof of their legal union. I have done this several times; it is one of the perks of my wonderful job. I get to meet people from all over the world, and help them get legal in any language.
What is needed is called an Apostille, and there are a few easy steps to acquiring it in just two days after you marry. Foreign couples should know that their journey to legality is easiest if they wed on a weekday. Right after the ceremony—and this is only if the couple wants their Apostille right away—we can drive over the hill to Minden. (Minden is only a half-hour away.) I accompany my foreign couples because it makes things so much easier; in my minister’s suit, I can say that for sure they were married by me, and tell them in Nevada English exactly what is needed. This eliminates the need for a notary. (Couples are not supposed to turn in their own, signed Marriage Certificates; it is the minister’s job to do so, proving that a marriage did indeed take place.) In Minden, the nicest people on Earth in the Recorder’s Office make an official stamped copy of the Marriage Certificate. I urge my foreign couples to visit the Nevada Secretary of State’s web site before the wedding to print out the form for their Apostille. With a filled-in form, a self-stamped envelope, and the $20 fee, you can then mail the form to the Nevada Secretary of State in Carson City. You will then get your Apostille mailed to you within two or three weeks. Most couples, however, decide to go to Carson City’s Capitol Building–it is so lovely, inside!–and deliver their Apostille application in person. It takes a full 48 hours to process the Apostille. The Apostille can be expedited for an extra $75.00. Most couples are happy to give the Nevada Secretary of State a self-addressed, stamped envelope (foreign postage applies) so they can mail the Apostille to their country. Otherwise, you must stay in the area for two extra days: A few extra days in the Sierras is generally not so hard to do!
Voila! After a gorgeous ceremony in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, anyone from any land can be legally wed.
Happiness to all!
Reverend Pamela Camille
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