Proxy marriage
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A '''proxy marriage''' is a [[marriage]] in which either the bride or the groom is not physically present for the wedding. During the [[solemnization]] of the marriage, based upon a power of attorney, a stand-in, or proxy, acts on behalf of one of the parties. If neither party is present, it is called a '''Double-proxy Marriage'''.
==History==
It was common for European monarchs and nobility to be wed by proxy marriage. A famous example of this is the marriage of [[Napoleon I of France]] to [[Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma]]. [[Catherine of Aragon]] wed [[Arthur, Prince of Wales|Prince Arthur]] by proxy. A famous 17th-century painting by [[Peter Paul Rubens]] depicts the proxy marriage of [[Marie de Medici]].<ref name="tnt">{{cite news|publisher=Tacoma News Tribune|url=http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060601/LIFESTYLE/606010413/-1/ARCHIVE|title=Marriage by proxy used for ages|date=2006-06-01|first=Debbie|last=Cafazzo}}</ref>
During the early 1900s, proxy marriages increased significantly when many Japanese [[Picture bride|picture brides]] arrived at [[Angel Island, California]]. Since the early 20th century it has been most commonly used for marriages involving members of the military on active duty.<ref name="tnt" /> Various Internet sites now offer to arrange proxy and double-proxy marriages for a fee, although the service can generally be set up by any lawyer in a jurisdiction that offers proxy marriage.
An unusual example came on [[August 10]] [[2003]] when Ekaterina Dmitriev was married by proxy in Texas to [[Yuri Malenchenko]], a cosmonaut who was at that time aboard the [[International Space Station]]. It was the first "space wedding" in history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.htexas.com/feature.cfm?Story=162|accessdate=2007-03-27|title=From Russia With Love|publisher=H Texas magazine}}</ref>
==Legality==
===United States===
Proxy marriages are illegal in all [[US]] states except California, Colorado, Texas and Montana. In California, it was legalized in 2004 and is only available to members of Armed Forces currently deployed and unable to attend a service. Montana is the only state that allows double-proxy marriage.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Tacoma News Tribune|url=http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060601/LIFESTYLE/606010412/-1/ARCHIVE|title=Proxy marriage allows war-torn couple to legally tie the knot|date=2006-06-01|first=Debbie|last=Cafazzo}} </ref> Not all states fully recognize proxy marriages, but legal precedent dictates that states recognize proxy marriage as at least a [[common law marriage]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=1547-1357%28192411%292%3A10%3A7%3C516%3AAMBPHT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-Q&size=LARGE|date=November 1924|title=Aliens. Marriage by Proxy Held to Give Alien Woman Status of "Wife"|journal=Virginia Law Register|pages=516–520}}</ref>
===Other countries===
[[Mexico]] and [[Paraguay]] both offer proxy marriages for a fee. Proxy marriages through the consulate of Paraguay in [[Tel Aviv]] are recognized by Israeli law.
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
*[http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/apr2003/a041103a.html Operation ‘I Do’: Moody AFB Attorneys Help Couple Tie Knot]
[[Category:Marriage]]