In a sweeping policy update, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that, effective July 3, 2025, only legally registered civil marriages will be recognized in immigration applications for spouses of principal refugees and asylees. This landmark change signals a significant departure from previous practices and is poised to impact thousands of applicants—particularly those from regions where customary or religious-only marriages are the norm.

What the New Policy Means

According to the update published in the USCIS Policy Manual (Volume 4), any union that is not formally registered under civil law will no longer be eligible for derivative immigration benefits. This means that even if a couple has undergone a religious or traditional marriage ceremony, their relationship must be legally documented by civil authorities in the jurisdiction where the marriage took place.

“All marriages between principal asylees or principal refugees and their claimed derivative spouses must be legally valid under the law of the jurisdiction where the marriage was celebrated,” the new USCIS guidance states.

This change applies not only to new applications filed on or after July 3, 2025, but also to pending cases that have not yet been adjudicated by that date.

Who Will Be Affected?

This policy shift is expected to disproportionately affect refugees and asylum seekers from regions where religious or customary marriage systems are widely practiced without civil registration. Those most impacted include applicants from:

• Nigeria

• Uganda

• India

• Afghanistan

• Somalia

• Other countries with dual marriage systems (customary and statutory)

Specifically, three groups stand to be directly affected:

1. Principal refugees and asylees already residing in the U.S. who wish to petition for their spouses to join them.

2. Derivative spouses whose eligibility hinges on the validity of their marriage.

3. Couples married under non-civil systems, where obtaining legal documentation may be difficult or retroactive registration may not be recognized.

Why the Policy Has Changed

The USCIS explained that this revision was necessary to:

• Align with long-standing case law and administrative precedents.

• Promote consistency in evaluating marriage-based immigration claims.

• Reduce the potential for marriage fraud, which has long been a concern in refugee and asylum processes.

The agency also noted that the change adheres to recent presidential directives, particularly Executive Order 14148—which rescinds certain immigration policies from previous administrations—and Executive Order 14163, which seeks to restore integrity and transparency in the refugee admissions system.

Implications and Challenges

The policy poses immediate challenges for many applicants, especially those:

• Married through religious or traditional rites only.

• Lacking access to civil registration offices due to conflict, displacement, or rural living conditions.

• From countries where civil and religious systems operate separately, or where civil documentation processes are inefficient or costly.

While the policy aims to streamline and secure the immigration process, human rights groups and immigration advocates warn that it may also create unintended barriers for vulnerable populations seeking family reunification under humanitarian protection.

What Applicants Should Do Now

The USCIS has offered specific recommendations to help applicants comply with the new rules:

1. Obtain a civil marriage certificate, even if a religious or customary marriage was already performed.

2. Confirm the legal validity of the marriage in the country or jurisdiction where it occurred. Some countries may offer retroactive registration for traditional marriages.

3. Gather supporting documentation, including:

   • Government-issued marriage certificates.

   • Evidence of shared residence or cohabitation.

   • Proof of joint financial responsibilities (e.g., shared bank accounts, assets, or utility bills).

   • Birth certificates of children, if applicable.

Legal experts also encourage applicants to consult immigration attorneys or accredited representatives as soon as possible to avoid delays or denials due to the stricter requirements.

Urgent Timeline for Affected Applicants

With the policy going into effect on July 3, 2025, time is of the essence for applicants with pending or planned applications. Refugees and asylees hoping to reunite with their spouses must act quickly to ensure all marriage documentation meets the new standard.

Those already in the application process but without a civil marriage certificate should prioritize obtaining one, or seek legal guidance on potential exemptions if civil registration is impossible due to extenuating circumstances such as persecution or displacement.

Final Thoughts

This major change underscores the U.S. government’s renewed focus on rigorous legal standards in immigration processing, particularly within the asylum and refugee categories. While intended to improve integrity and prevent abuse, the new requirements place a considerable burden on applicants who come from regions where civil marriages are rare or inaccessible.

Moving forward, the impact of this policy will likely be closely watched by immigration lawyers, advocacy groups, and international observers—especially as the U.S. continues to receive asylum claims from individuals fleeing conflict zones, where marriage documentation may not be readily available.

For now, affected individuals are advised to act swiftly, document everything, and seek expert advice to ensure they remain eligible under the newly enforced guidelines.