No Objection Certificate or Affidavit from US COnsulate

[cravie]

I am an US Citizen (Indian Origin Hindu - Naturalized) marrying an Indian girl in India. To register the marriage in India they are asking for a No Objection Certificate or Addidavit to be obrained from an American Embassy . I live in the USA and plan to go to India in January for the wedding. Can I only get the affidavit or No Objection certificate only from India at the US Consulate or get it from any other agency in USA. Please let me know your thoughts.

[Mike E]

Marriage is a state power in the USA and thus the USA embassy is not going to issue that letter.

USA embassies and consulates will let you make an appointment to fill out an affidavit that says “I am not married” and the USA will notarize it. This has no actual force in law, other than the threat of perjury under USA law and a bed in federal prison if you are lying.

Apparently this is enough to convince the Indian government. It is of little use for petitioning for your spouse’s immigration visa.