US to acknowledge solely civil marriages for asylum seekers, refugees searching for spousal immigration from July 3

The USA Citizenship and Immigration Companies (USCIS) has introduced a major coverage change affecting refugees and asylum seekers.

Efficient July 3, 2025, the company will solely acknowledge legally registered civil marriages between principal refugees or asylees and their spouses when contemplating by-product immigration purposes.

This shift might have far-reaching implications for candidates from international locations the place customary or non secular unions are widespread.

New coverage in focus 

In accordance with the up to date USCIS Coverage Handbook, a wedding should be legally legitimate within the jurisdiction the place it was celebrated to qualify for immigration advantages.

“We’re updating steerage within the USCIS Coverage Handbook, Quantity 4, on legitimate marriages between a principal asylee or principal refugee and their claimed partner. Beneath the up to date steerage, all marriages between principal asylees or principal refugees and their claimed by-product spouses should be legally legitimate underneath the regulation of the jurisdiction the place the wedding was celebrated as a way to be thought of legitimate for immigration profit functions,” the assertion famous.

Which means that any union not formally registered underneath civil regulation, reminiscent of customary, conventional, or religious-only marriage, will not meet the factors for U.S. asylum or refugee-related spousal sponsorship.

The coverage applies to all new purposes submitted from July 2025 and also will have an effect on pending purposes that haven’t but been adjudicated.

Who can be affected? 

This modification will impression three main teams:

• Principal refugees and asylees: These already granted safety within the U.S. and searching for to reunite with their partner.
• Spinoff spouses: People making use of for immigration because the authorized partner of a refugee or asylee.
• Candidates from areas with non-civil marriage techniques: Particularly these from international locations like Nigeria, Uganda, India, Afghanistan, and Somalia, the place unions typically happen by way of conventional or non secular ceremonies with out civil documentation.

Why the change was made

The USCIS defined that the replace aligns its coverage with long-standing case regulation and administrative practices. It additionally goals to cut back fraud within the refugee and asylum system.

In accordance with the steerage, the replace promotes authorized consistency and ensures that marriages used to confer immigration advantages are bona fide and legally acknowledged.

It additionally helps President Trump’s administration directives, reminiscent of Government Order 14148, which rescinds immigration orders from earlier administrations, and Government Order 14163, which goals to realign refugee admissions with extra humane and inclusive values.

What ought to candidates do? 

USCIS advises potential candidates to make sure their marriages meet civil authorized requirements. The company recommends the next steps:

• Acquire a civil marriage certificates, even when a spiritual or conventional ceremony was already held.
• Confirm the wedding’s authorized standing within the jurisdiction the place it occurred. Some international locations enable for retroactive civil registration of customary marriages.

Put together supporting paperwork reminiscent of a government-issued marriage certificates and proof of cohabitation or shared duties, together with joint property, youngsters, or shared accounts.