International marriage agency

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An international marriage agency, also called international introduction agency is a business that endeavors to introduce men and women of different countries for the purpose of marriage, dating or penpals. Agency methods and their client objectives vary widely. They are frequently referred to as mail order bride agencies, although many consider this derogatory and demeaning of the foreign women. Approximately 4,000-6,000 women come to the U.S. every year via these agencies[1]. This is a small portion of the 100,000 to 150,000 eligible foreign women who advertise themselves on e-matchmaking sites each year[2].

Contents

[edit] Services

Services that marriage agencies offer typically include:

  • introductions
  • translating correspondence between clients who do not speak a common language
  • excursions in which a man is introduced to several women interested in marriage

[edit] Controversy

[edit] Fraud

Many clients of marriage agencies have complained of fraud. Some firms have responded by offering money-back guarantees and other assurances. Some websites maintain a fraud "black list" [3].

[edit] Legal issues

Marriage agencies are legal in almost all countries. Certain notable legal issues are:

  • The Philippines prohibits organizing or facilitating marriages between Filipinas and foreign men. The Philippine congress enacted Republic Act 6955 or the Anti-Mail-Order Bride Law in 1990 as a result of stories that appeared in the local press and media about Filipinas being abused by their foreign husbands.
  • On Jan 6, 2006, the United States Congress enacted H.R. 3402: Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 [1]. This law requires certain actions prior to selling a foreign woman's address to a US citizen or resident, including:
  1. The man must complete a questionnaire on his criminal and marital background.
  2. The man must be free of ever being diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder.
  3. The seller must obtain the man's record from the National Sex Offenders Public Registry database [2].
  4. The questionnaire and record must be translated to the woman's native language and provided to her.
  5. The woman must certify that she agrees to permit communication.
  6. A lifetime limit of two (2) fiancé visas is imposed, with a waver required for the approval of any subsequent fiancé visa.
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[edit] References

  1. ^ The "Mail-Order Bride" Industry and its Impact on U.S. Immigration, Robert J. Scholes.
  2. ^ SHOPPING; Ordering Brides on the Web: Old Business, New Source, Julie Checkoway, New York Times, June 7, 2000
  3. ^ Russian Women Black List

"Romance on a Global Stage" 2003 anthropology study by Nicole Constable, Professor of Anthropology, University of Pittsburg 4. *Online Dating Rights - containing downloads of legal documents, statutes, scientific studies and media reports on this topic