People usually associate the notion of ”mail order bride” as a historical and long-forgotten phenomenon. But are mail order brides still a thing? The modern world is experiencing an era of buying online brides many times over. Due to ”The Mail-Order Bride” research, U.S. immigration statistics and analysis states that in 1999 200 marriage agencies were managing 4,000- 6,000 international couples. In 2012, the number of dating platforms increased to 400, with 10,000 – 15,000 online weddings. And now this business is extremely popular. It gives both men and women a chance to meet love. Read this article and discover all details about the oldest matrimony business.
Where Did Mail Ordered Wives Come From?
The possibility of buying a wife goes back to 1614, says Marcia Zug in her book ” Buying a Bride: An Engaging History of Mail-Order Matches”. The procedure of meeting a lady looked completely different. Foreign women seeking American men sent pictures from the East to the United States. And even the term ”mail order woman comes from the Japanese notion ”shashin kekkon” meaning a photo marriage. Not all lonely females were lucky to meet a foreign husband in advance. Many order women married a few hours after they saw their partners. Except for Japan, women from Korea, Greece, Armenia, and Italy were also looking for American men. Most legit mail order brides appeared between the 1880s – 1920s. These days ladies from eastern Europe, China, and Asia are in demand.

Why Do People Like International Marriages?
Various factors are influencing the online dating industry. Both women and men are interested in online dating and then creating a family. What forces men to find a wife online?
- Foreign brides want a better life. Many overseas girls experience a financial crisis. They seek men who could raise their living conditions. This applies to money, housing, and all that girls lack in their home countries.
- Western husbands appreciate beauty and intelligence. It is not a secret that Eastern ladies are amazing in appearance and inner world. Most of them are well-educated, multilingual, and well-mannered. Unlike American females, Eastern girls take great care of themselves.
- Online dating is quick and convenient. The reason why people choose to marry on the Internet is that it is very comfortable. You can meet several partners at the same place, chat and make video calls the same evening. While in real life, people spend weeks getting to know one person.
Where To Look For A Mail Order Bride?
International marriages appear on the online dating services. These are special platforms with a mail order bride catalog. A marriage broker unites girls and men who are ready to marry online. Only the best foreign bride sites provide the following features (by SF Weekly magazine):
- A brides’ catalog. This is the most important option of marriage platforms. Here future husbands come to observe the list of online wives. They view girls’ profiles, photos, and detailed information. The greater the catalog, the higher chance to choose your match.
- Searching. As the marriage agency has dozens of models to offer, it is essential to find a partner quickly. With search options, users can filter women by appearance, location, hobbies, etc.
- Matchmaking. No one has time to analyze every girl. A good matchmaking system offers men suitable variants due to men’s preferences.
- Communication tools. Before you marry a mail order woman, you should get to know her via chatting, video calls, voice messages. Thus a good website provides these functions to its members.
- Translators. Not all foreign women for marriage know English. Then you need a comprehensive translator function to make communication successful.
Why Should I Use A Dating Service To Get A Mail Order Bride?
There are many places to meet women online. You can look for a perfect match on different platforms and forums. But it is much faster and easier to visit a wife finder where international brides are waiting for you. As stated in ”The European Business Review”, there are many advantages of using the online dating service.
It Provides You With More Options
Ladies who set their profiles in marriage agencies know what they want. You will not waste time guessing whether free mail order brides are ready to marry online or not. Thanks to search options, men quickly find a perfect Internet bride.
It Makes the Dating Process Simple
Many Western husbands feel uncomfortable when having a first date in real life. There is no such type of incongruity with your beautiful bride. Meeting online is very easy and smooth as people show their true intentions.
It Unites Partners From All Over the Globe
Thanks to dating agencies, women who want to marry American men don’t need to fly to the United States. They can chat, exchange photos, and go live via video calls.

Are Mail Order Brides Legal? Laws That Protect Online Wives
People doubt the legality of buying a wife online. But this is a stereotype. Both women and men marry after long communication. They do it because they want it. Neither men nor wedding agencies force women to leave the home country. Moreover, countries where you can buy a bride protect online spouses by law.
Mail Order Bride Laws In The USA
Since America is the homeland of the online dating industry, the government regulates it by strict rules. Men who want to buy a bride should obey the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act. Overseas women who come to the United States can turn to The Violence Against Women Act in case of dishonesty.
Regulations Protecting Mail Order Women In Canada
Until 2012 no rules were regulating the online dating industry in Canada. Buying a foreign bride was something between legal and illegal. Thus many women became victims of domestic violence. Due to the violence and a high level of migration, Canada has signed Guide 5525. This document confirmed the legality of the mail order lady practice. Since then, men have pledged to sponsor all costs associated with transporting ladies to Canada.
Is It Legal To Bring An Overseas Wife To The UK?
Yes, you can invite your beautiful woman from all over the globe to the UK. You can marry her and create an international family. But the UK government sets the most rigorous standards in that sphere in the world.
Where Is Buying A Bride Forbidden?
Are mail order spouse illegal in some countries? Many people think that Muslim countries don’t allow to order a wife. But that is not true. Although the Philippines is the first country from where the best foreign women to marry come, the law doesn’t support this industry. It is stated in Republic Act 6955. But American men find illegal ways to marry a Filipino mail order bride.

What Is The Cost Of A Mail Order Bride?
Experts estimate the average price for buying a wife between $5000 and $35 000. There were cases when foreign husbands spent millions to meet a perfect mail order woman. It depends mainly on a man’s financial position. Several costs are influencing the cost of a girlfriend.
Communication Tools
Before you ask a mail order lady to marry you, you should get to know each other. Dating platforms offer many conversation options: chats, voice messages, virtual gifts, and video calls. But they are not free of charge. And the period of your communication might be different: from several weeks to several months.
Travel Spendings
This section includes flight tickets, taxis, and different accommodations. Mind that the cheapest flight from Eastern Europe to the USA costs on average $700-$1000.
Translation Options
Some of the Eastern European brides do not speak English well. That is why you should think about a translator for your meetings.
Additional Charges
The charges for visas and passports are not very high, but they influence the final cost as well.
Dating Offline
For this type of cost, men should prepare in advance. Cafes, restaurants, hotels, taxis, gifts… and the list is endless. Any places you want to take your lady will cost money.
What Is The Best Country For Mail Order Brides?
In 2018 the Immigration and Human Rights Law Review shares the statistics of countries where most real mail order brides come from.
- Asia – Philippines, Vietnam, China, India.
- Latin America – Mexico, Columbia, Brazil.
- Eastern Europe – Russia, Ukraine.
- Africa – Nigeria, Ethiopia.
Let’s see why American men find a bride from the countries listed above.
Russian Wives
Russian is the best country to find a wife. Russian mail order brides are very diverse. From blonde Slavic girlfriends to brunette Tatar women, this country is endowed with precious ladies. American husbands find them very traditional. Indeed, Russian females can stay at home, keep the house clean, and raise children. Despite that, they always look great. These ladies apply makeup, do hairstyles, and dress up. For women from Russia, age is not a stereotype. Older Russian women looking for husbands also want to live better with foreign partners.
Asian Brides
With an Asian mail order bride, you will never feel alone. They adore their husbands, give them many compliments and pay a lot of attention. And how not to fall in love with Oriental girlfriends that look like dolls? Their beauty is natural. Every Eastern girl takes great care of her skin and body. Many of them are very religious, and the family is of the highest value in the East.

Latin America Ladies
Colombian mail order brides, Argentinian hotties, and Brazil beauties – you will lose your head choosing a girlfriend. Latin American females are hot, affectionate, and seductive. These lovely ladies love fun and playing games with men. But they also are family-orientated. It is not easy to conquer a Latin American mail-order bride, but the result is worth it.
How Do Legally Get Home A Mail Order Girlfriend?
This is the most challenging task. Many men get stuck when it comes to bringing a girl to the US. To order a woman in America, you should open her fiance visa. If you have already married in another country, prepare a spouse visa for her. Here are the documents your mail order bride should have when opening the K-1 visa:
- Form DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application;
- Birth certificate;
- A passport;
- Medical reference;
- divorce/death certificate for the previous wife/husband for both partners;
- Certificate from police about your living in other countries;
- Income statement;
- Two photos;
- Confirmation of your relationships with a fiance;
- Evidence that you have paid fees.
After completing the documents, your mail order bride should pass the interview. In the interview, she should tell the interviewers about your relationships, how they started, where you have met, and what you plan for the future.
How Long Does It Take To Get K-1Visa?
It all depends on the home country of a mail order bride. Everything that depends on you is to prepare the documents and be honest. The whole process lasts for 1-3 months.
Can I Invite My Mail Order Bride To The US Without A Visa?
If you want to see your bride faster, make her a nonimmigrant visa. This kind of visa allows staying in the US for not more than 180 days. After that period, a mail order bride should return home.
Final Thoughts
To buy a wife online is a much simpler process than it seems. With many dating services, you can find a match within a few days. Foreign brides are always attractive because they bring new traditions and views on life. You have to trust your heart and feel free to get married online.