I am a us citizen and I want to marry a canadian citizen who is here visiting family. can we get a marriage lisence in New York and is her canadian passport enough ID.

thank you

For more information on obtaining a marriage license, you should contact your city hall to find out exactly what the requirements are. Her passport alone may be sufficient.

From an immigration perspective, however, things may be more complicated. Depending upon the chronology of your relationship, you may want to pursue a K-1 fiancée visa before moving ahead with your marriage. If, for example, you have been dating for a long time, if you now proceed to get married and then immediately submit your wife’s residency application (i.e., her green card application), the USCIS (the new name for the INS) could deny your future wife’s residency application based on fraud (i.e., that she fraudulently entered as a tourist when her intention was to marry you and then apply for permanent residency).

I strongly advise you to consult with an attorney before proceeding with your marriage in order to determine the best course to follow. Once you are married, your options are more limited. If you would like me to examine your case, please contact me to arrange for a consultation.