Proof of Immigration Status Cannot be Required When Applying for A Marriage License
March 13, 2008

Although it does not appear to be a problem anywhere in the State of Illinois, marriage license applicants in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania have run up against a local requirement that they submit proof of their immigration status in order to be issued a marriage license. Pursuant to a recent federal court order settling a lawsuit filed against the county last year, the county will stop the practice, publicize the change and pay $10,000.00 damages to the couple that brought the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was originally brought last year by a U.S. citizen and his undocumented fiancé who were denied a license after her failure to provide proof of her US immigration status.