Marrying and Sponsoring an American Citizen
Listen to this articleMarriage to an American Citizen
Every country has its own laws that apply to its citizens marrying a person from a different country. Getting married to an American citizen with the goal of eventually bringing them to Canada to live is a process with many steps.
If you want to bring your American spouse or partner to live in Canada, you must then file a sponsorship application for them to become a permanent resident. If they would like to visit you in Canada while their application is in process, they must demonstrate that they will leave Canada before their entry stamp expires. For more information, please see our family sponsorship page.
We have pages for some specific states, find your state here:
Free Complete Spousal Sponsorship Course
Processing Time
If you file a Canadian sponsorship application for your American spouse or partner, this application takes an average of 10-12 months.
Please see our pages on family sponsorship for more information on the processing times of these applications.
Government Fees
To learn about the costs of the sponsorship process, click here.
American Marriage Basic Requirements
Under both Canadian and American Marriage Law, only the civil registration of a marriage is recognised as legal and only a legal marriage will allow you to bring your American husband / wife back to Canada.
The legal age for marriage in the US is 18, but anyone under this age must obtain written consent from her parents or guardians. This should be given personally and in writing in front of the local civil registrar officer. Alternatively, it can be in the form of an affidavit made in the presence of two witnesses.
Some US states require both the bride and groom to take a blood test before they apply for a marriage license.
The first step is to go to the courthouse or Marriage License Bureau in the district where you intend to marry and apply for a Marriage License. Take your passport and all of the documents you brought with you from Canada. The American spouse needs to present their passport, birth certificate and proof that he / she is no longer married. The marriage license will be issued while you wait.
Documents required from the Canadian Spouse
- Affidavit of Marital Status
- Original valid Canadian passport
- Original birth certificate
- Original death certificate of deceased spouse if widowed
- Original divorce decree or annulment papers if divorced
- Blood Test results (some states)
Documents required form the American Spouse
- Original valid passport
- Original birth certificate
- Original death certificate of deceased spouse if widowed
- Original divorce decree or annulment papers if divorced
- Blood Test results (some states)
Once the Marriage License is obtained, the marriage ceremony can commence. Marriage to an American does not automatically qualify one for US citizenship however, US permits dual citizenship and in order to become an American citizen one must apply through the official government immigration channels.
Family Members
If your American spouse has dependent children, this does not affect the American Marriage document application.
If you have dependent children, they have no effect on the application to marry an American citizen.
American Wedding Customs
The wedding traditions in US are not totally unique to the U.S. Almost all U.S. wedding traditions and customs have either been taken directly from a wide range of other countries and cultures, primarily European or they have been borrowed from traditions in other nations.
United States was originally populated by immigrants from all over the world, primarily Europe. These immigrants brought their own wedding traditions with them, and these traditions, become part of the United States culture.
There are a few things that all U.S. weddings have in common. Wedding ceremonies are either religious or civil. Most brides prefer a large and elaborate ceremony.
Marriages are not arranged in US a typical American wedding takes place between two people who believe they can share their life together. In the United States marriages are based on love.
Old wedding traditions may have held that a prospective groom had to ask the bride’s father for his blessing to marry his daughter, but that tradition is rarely respected any longer.
Wedding planning can be elaborate and time-consuming affair in US and many brides today opt to have a professional wedding planner take care of all the details. Traditionally the bride wears a white wedding dress and white wedding veil.
Prior to the wedding itself, it is traditional for the Maid of Honour to throw a bridal shower as part of the bridal ceremonies. During the bridal shower the bride-to-be will receive small gifts, often of a humorous nature, often gifts for use on the honeymoon.
While a religious setting, such as a church, synagogue or mosque is not mandatory, the more traditional U.S. weddings take place in a religious setting. Family and friends are formally invited. Ushers seat guests, there are bride’s maids, a best man, flower girls, a ring bearer, music (chosen by the bride and/or the groom) and many other amenities designed to make the day special and memorable.
The traditional ceremony itself is often conducted by a religious leader known to the bride and/or the groom. The ceremony may include wedding vows written by the bride and the groom, in which they confess their love and their desire to make each other safe, happy and secure, and to be faithful to their partner and their partner alone for the rest of their lives.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the official asks if anyone present knows of any reason why the couple should not be legally married. If there is no response, the official asks the couple to exchange wedding rings, a symbol of their everlasting love and commitment to one another, and then the happy couple is pronounced as husband and wife, in front of family and friends called witnesses. Traditionally the newlyweds kiss to seal their union.
As the couple leave the church they are often showered with rice or wheat (symbolising fertility) and the couple is then taken to a home, restaurant or other facility where a wedding reception takes place. Speeches and toasts are given to the new couple, wishing them happiness.
Gifts are an important part of the U.S. wedding tradition. Gifts are given to help the new couple establish a new home together; often gifts of cash are given.
A couple may choose a specific store where desire their gift to bought from. This allows well-wishers to not only purchase gifts that are useful to the couple but to also avoid buying duplicate items.
Following the reception the couple traditionally goes on a honeymoon which may last from several days to two or more weeks.
Couples who do not wish to go through the stress of an elaborate traditional wedding ceremony can choose to elope. An elopement involves much less work and much less preparation. The couple merely goes to a justice of the peace and is quietly married in a civil wedding ceremony.
They may or may not include a small number or friends and/or family.
Wedding Food
Appetisers
Appetisers can be served as passed delicacies, plated style, or buffet style. The appetiser selection will depend on how they are to be served. Popular appetisers include bacon-wrapped scallops, stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta, and prosciutto-wrapped honeydew. A basic salad is best served plated with the dressing set out on the table.
Entrees
Keep your entree selection simple to please all of your guests. Entrees should be served with a starch, such as mashed potatoes, and a vegetable, such as green beans.
Chicken entrees are popular and can be served with a light sauce. Beef is another popular choice but it can be more costly. Fish, such as salmon or cod, is another alternative for the entree selection.
Select one type of vegetarian entree as an option for your guests. Pasta primavera or stuffed peppers are delicious vegetarian options.
Desserts
You may want more options for your desserts in addition to the wedding cake. Have a chocolate dipping table where your guests can dip their own fruit. You can also have cupcakes, brownies, and cookies that are easy for guests to grab and eat.
Religion in the USA
Religion in US is characterised by a wide diversity of religious beliefs and practice, which are also strictly adhered to. According to recent surveys, 80 percent of Americans identify with a religious denomination and 36 percent say that they attend services nearly every week or more.
The religious community is diverse thanks to the multi ethnic diversity of immigrants. Christians make up 76%, Catholics are 25% and other Christians outside of the Catholic faith make up 51%.
Other religions like Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and Hindu account for 4% of the population. 15% do not have religious affiliation.
Freedom of Worship
Although some New England states continued to use tax money to fund local Congregational churches into the 1830s, the United States was the first nation to have no official state-endorsed religion.
Modelling the provisions concerning religion within the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, the architects of American Constitution rejected any religious test for office, and the First Amendment specifically denied the federal government any power to enact such a law respecting either an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise, thus protecting any religious organisation, institution, or denomination from government interference.
The decision was mainly influenced by European rationalist and Protestant ideals, but was also a consequence of the concern of minority religious groups and small states that did not want to be under the power or influence of a national religion that did not represent them.
Various polls have been conducted to determine Americans’ actual beliefs regarding God.
- A 2006 CBS poll of 899 U.S. adults found that 76% of those surveyed believed in a god, 9% believed in a spiritual high power, 8% believed in neither, and 1% were unsure.
- A 2008 survey of 1,000 people stated that, based on their stated beliefs rather than their religious identification, 70% of Americans believe in a personal God, around 12% of Americans are atheist or agnostic, and 12% are deistic (believing in a higher power/non-personal God, but no personal God).
- A late 2009 online Harris poll of 2,303 U.S. adults (18 and older) found that “82% of adult Americans believe in God”, the same number as in two earlier polls in 2005 and 2007. Another 9% said they did not believe in God, and 9% said that they were not sure. It further concluded, Large majorities also believe in miracles (76%), heaven (75%), that Jesus is God or the Son of God (73%), in angels (72%), the survival of the soul after death (71%), and in the resurrection of Jesus (70%). Less than half (45%) of adults believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution but this is more than the 40% who believe in creation, many people consider themselves Christians.
However, this is not true of born-again Christians. In addition to their religious beliefs, large minorities of adults, including many Christians, have “pagan” or pre-Christian beliefs such as belief in ghosts, astrology, witches and reincarnation.
Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
List of American Consulates in Canada
US Visa Requirements
Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel to the United States for tourism as long as you are staying for less than 3 months. However you may need a visa if you are travelling for another reason (in addition to getting married).
If you are a Canadian permanent resident, you may need a visa.
American Currency
The US dollar abbreviated as $ is the world’s most used currency. It is the official currency for the US and overseas territories.
USD notes are made from cotton fibre paper, which is unlike most common paper that is made of wood fiber. U.S. coins are produced by the United States Mint and the U.S. dollar banknotes are printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and, since 1914, have been issued by the Federal Reserve.
The “large-sized notes” issued before 1928 measured 7.42 inches (188 mm) by 3.125 inches (79.4 mm); small-sized notes, introduced that year, measure 6.14 inches (156 mm) by 2.61 inches (66 mm) by 0.0043 inches (0.11 mm).
When the current, smaller size of U.S. currency was introduced it was referred to as Philippine-sized currency because the Philippines had previously adopted the same size for its legal currency.
The monetary system of the United States is based on the decimal, the primary unit of currency called the Dollar. The names and relative values of the coins are from left to right:
- One Cent – 1/100 of a Dollar, (Penny)
- Five Cents – 5/100 of a Dollar, (Nickel)
- Ten Cents – 10/100 of a Dollar, (Dime)
- Twenty Five Cents – 25/100 of a Dollar (1/4, or Quarter Dollar)
- Fifty Cents – 50/100 of a Dollar (1/2, or Half Dollar)
- One Dollar – 100/100, 1 full Dollar (Susan B. Anthony type)
- One Dollar – 100/100, 1 full Dollar (Sacagawea type)
Currency Nicknames
The most famous nickname for the dollar is “buck” (similar to the British word “quid” for the pound sterling) is often used to refer to dollars of various nations, including the U.S. dollar.
This term, dating to the 18th century, may have originated with the colonial fur trade. “Greenback” is another nickname originated in the 19th century Demand Note dollars created by Abraham Lincoln to finance the costs of the Civil War for the North.
The original note was printed in black and green on the back side. It is still used to refer to the U.S. dollar (not to the dollars of other countries). Other well-known names of the dollar as a whole in denominations include “greenmail”, “green” and “dead presidents” (late presidents are pictured on some of the bills).
“Grand”, shortened to simply “G”, is a common term for the amount of $1,000. The suffix “K” or “k” (from kilo) is also commonly used to denote this amount (such as “$10k” to mean $10,000).
In English, when someone refers to a “large” or “stack”, it is usually a reference to an amount that is a multiple of $1,000 (such as “fifty large” meaning $50,000). Banknotes’ nicknames are the same as their values (such as “five”, “twenty” etc.) The $100 bill is nicknamed “Benjamin”, “Benji” or “Franklin” (named after Benjamin Franklin, who is pictured on the note), “C-note” (C is the Roman numeral for 100), “Century note” or “bill” (“two bills” being $200).
The $20 bill has been referred to as “double sawbuck”, “dub” or “Jackson” (after Andrew Jackson); the $10 bill as “sawbuck” ( the Roman numeral “X” for ten often used on early $10 notes), “ten-spot” or “Hamilton” (after Alexander Hamilton); the $5 bill—as “fin”, “fiver” or “five-spot”.
The $2 bill is sometimes called “deuce”, “Tom”, “Jefferson” or “T.J.” (After Thomas Jefferson); and the $1 bill “single” or “buck”. The dollar has also been referred to as a “bone” and “bones” in plural (“twenty bones” is equal to $20) or a “bean”.
The newer designs are sometimes referred to as “Bigface” bills or “Monopoly money”. Some people refer to U.S. money as “cha-chingers”, “bucks”, “green-backs” and “smackers”.
Bank Notes and Usage
The U.S. Constitution provides that Congress shall have the power to borrow money on credit courtesy of the United States. Congress has exercised that power by authorizing Federal Reserve Banks to issue Federal Reserve Notes.
These notes are “obligations of the United States” and “shall be redeemed in lawful money on demand at the Treasury Department of the United States, in Washington, District of Columbia, or at any Federal Reserve bank.”
Federal Reserve Notes are designated by law as “legal tender” for the payment of debts and transactions.
Congress has also authorised the issuance of more than 10 other types of banknotes, including the United States Note and the Federal Reserve Bank Note. The Federal Reserve Note is the only type that remains in circulation since the 1970s.
Currently official printed denominations are $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Notes above the $100 denomination stopped being printed in 1946 and were officially withdrawn in 1969.
These notes were used primarily in inter-bank transactions or by organised crime, the usage of these notes in crime is what prompted President Richard Nixon to issue an executive order in 1969 halting their use.
With the introduction of electronic banking, they became less necessary. Notes in denominations of $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, and $100,000 were all produced at one time. These notes are now collector’s items.
Currently, the US government maintains over 800 billion US dollars in cash (Federal Reserve Notes) in circulation.
Calling the United States from Canada
The country code for US is 1, which is also the code for Canada
To call the US just dial 1 – area code – local number
These are some area codes for the US
| Alabama | 205, 256, 334 | Missouri | 314 (St. Louis), 417, 573. 636, 660, 816 (Kansas City) |
| Alaska | 907 | Montana | 406 |
| Arizona | 480, 520, 602 (Phoenix), 623 | Nebraska | 308, 402 (Omaha) |
| Arkansas | 501, 870 | Nevada | 702 (Las Vegas), 775 |
| California | 209, 213 (LA), 310, 323 (LA), 408 (San Jose), 415 (San Francisco), 510, 530, 559, 562, 619 (San Diego), 626, 650, 661, 707, 714, 760, 805, 818, 831, 858, 909, 916 (Sacramento), 952, 949 | New Hampshire | 603 |
| Colorado | 303 (Denver), 719, 720 (Denver), 970 | New Jersey | 201 (Jersey City), 609, 732, 856, 908, 973 |
| Connecticut | 203, 860 (Hartford) | New Mexico | 505 |
| Delware | 302 | New York | 212 (New York), 315, 347 (Greater New York), 516, 518, 607, 631, 646 (New York), 716, 718 (Greater New York), 845, 914, 917 (Greater New York) |
| District of Columbia (Washington) | 202 | North Carolina | 252, 336, 704 (Charlotte), 828, 910, 919 (Raleigh-Durham) |
| Florida | 305 (Miami), 321 (Orlando), 352, 457 (Orlando), 461, 727, 786 (Miami), 813 (Tampa), 850, 863, 904 (Jacksonville), 941, 954 (Ft. Lauderdale) | North Dakota | 701 |
| Georgia | 229, 404 (Atlanta), 478, 678 (Atlanta), 706, 770, 912 | Ohio | 216 (Cleveland), 234, 330, 419, 440, 513 (Cincinnati), 614 (Columbus), 740, 937 |
| Hawaii | 808 | Oklahoma | 405 (Oklahoma City), 580, 918 |
| Idaho | 208 | Oregon | 503 (Portland), 541, 971 (Portland) |
| Illinois | 217, 309, 312 (Chicago), 618, 630, 708, 773 (Chicago), 815, 847 | Pennsylvania | 215 and 267 (Philadelphia), 412 (Pittsburgh), 484, 570, 610, 717, 724, 814 |
| Indiana | 219, 317 (Indianapolis), 765, 812 | Rhode Island | 401 |
| Iowa | 319, 515 (Des Moines), 641, 712 | South Carolina | 803, 843, 864 |
| Kansas | 316, 785, 913 (Kansas City) | South Dakota | 605 |
| Kentucky | 270, 502 (Louisville), 606, 859 | Tennessee | 423, 615 (Nashville), 865, 901 (Memphis), 931 |
| Louisiana | 225, 318 (Shreveport), 337, 504 (New Orleans) | Texas | 210 (San Antonio), 214 (Dallas), 254, 281 (Houston), 361, 409, 469 (Dallas), 512 (Austin), 682 (Fort Worth), 713 (Houston), 806, 817 (Fort Worth), 830, 832 (Houston), 903, 915 (El Paso), 936, 940, 956, 972 (Dallas), 979 |
| Maine | 207 | Utah | 385, 435, 801 (Salt Lake City) |
| Maryland | 240, 301, 410 and 443 (Baltimore) | Vermont | 802 |
| Massachusetts | 413, 508, 617 (Boston), 781, 978 | Virginia | 540, 571 and 703 (Alexandria), 757, 804 (Richmond) |
| Michigan | 231, 248, 313 (Detroit), 517, 616, 734, 810, 906 | Washington | 206 (Seattle), 253 (Tacoma), 360 and 425 (Greater Seattle), 509 |
| Minnesota | 218, 320, 507, 612 (Minneapolis), 651 (Saint Paul), 763, 952 | West Virginia | 304 |
| Mississippi | 228, 601, 662 | Wisconsin | 262, 414 (Milwaukee), 608, 715, 920 |
| Wyoming | 307 |
Time Differences
Canada and the United States share their time zones. See below:
Calling Canada from the United States
List of area codes in Canada:
| Province | Code | Province | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 403 / 587 (southern Alberta)
587 / 780 (central and northern Alberta) |
Nunavut | 867 |
| BC | 236 / 250 / 778 (majority of BC)
236 / 604 / 778 (Metro Vancouver) |
Ontario | 226 / 519 (southwestern Ontario)
249 / 705 (northeastern Ontario) 289 / 365 / 905 (Greater Toronto Area) 343 / 613 (eastern Ontario) 416 / 647 (Toronto) 807 (northwestern Ontario) |
| Manitoba | 204 / 431 | PEI | 782 / 902 |
| New Brunswick | 506 | Quebec | 418 / 581 (eastern Quebec)
438 / 514 (Montreal) 450 / 579 (Greater Montreal) 819 / 873 (remainder of Quebec) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 709 | Saskatchewan | 306 / 639 |
| Northwest Territories | 867 | Yukon | 867 |
| Nova Scotia | 782 / 902 |
Emergency Information for Canadians in the United States
The Department of Homeland Security Traveller Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP)in US is a single point of contact for individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during their travel screening at transportation hub like airports, train stations or crossing U.S. borders, including:
- watch list issues
- screening problems at ports of entry
- situations where travellers feel they have been unfairly or incorrectly delayed, denied boarding or identified for additional screening at our nation’s transportation hubs
List of Canadian Consulates in the United States
Embassy of Canada in Washington501 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Telephone: (202) 682-1740 E-mail: [email protected] Website: washington.gc.ca |
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Consulate General of Canada in Atlanta1175 Peachtree Street N.E. Telephone: (404) 532-2000 E-mail: [email protected] Website: atlanta.gc.ca |
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Consulate General of Canada in Boston3 Copley Place, Suite 400 Telephone: (617) 247-5100 E-mail: [email protected] Website: boston.gc.ca
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Consulate General of Canada in ChicagoTwo Prudential Plaza, 180 North Stetson Avenue Telephone: (312) 616-1860 E-mail: [email protected] Website: chicago.gc.ca |
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Consulate General of Canada in Dallas500 N. Akard Street, Suite 2900 Telephone: (214) 922-9806 E-mail: [email protected] |
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Consulate General of Canada in Denver625 Broadway, Suite 2600 Telephone: (303) 626-0640 E-mail: [email protected] |
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Consulate General of Canada in Detroit600 Renaissance Center, Suite 1100 Telephone: (313) 446-4747 E-mail: [email protected] |
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Consulate General of Australia in HonoluluPenthouse Suite, 1000 Bishop Street Telephone: (808) 529-8120 (Canadians can seek assistance at |
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Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles550 South Hope Street, 9th Floor Telephone: (213) 346-2700 E-mail: [email protected] |
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Consulate General of Canada in Miami5200 South Biscayne Boulevard Telephone: (305) 579-1600 E-mail: [email protected] |
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Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis701 Fourth Avenue South, Suite 900 Telephone: (612) 333-4641 E-mail: [email protected] |
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Consulate General of Canada in New York City1251 Avenue of the Americas, Concourse Level Telephone: (212) 596-1759 E-mail: [email protected] |
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Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco580 California Street, 14th Floor Telephone: (415) 834-3180 E-mail: [email protected] |
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Consulate General of Canada in Seattle1501 4th Ave, Suite 600 Telephone: (206) 443-1777 E-mail: [email protected] |
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Religion in America
Christianity
According to the 2011 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, which is a combination of Canadian and American churches, the five largest denominations are
- The Catholic Church, 68,503,456 members
- The Southern Baptist Convention, 16,160,088 members
- The United Methodist Church, 7,774,931 members
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6,058,907 members
- The Church of God in Christ, 5,499,875 members
Because of its large population and history, the United States has numerically more Christians and Protestants than any other country in the world.
Other countries, however, have higher percentages of Christians and Protestants within their total populations.
Northern European people started the Protestant denomination. Among Protestants, Anglicans, Baptists, Puritans, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Quaker, and Moravians were the first to settle in US.
The Spanish, French and English introduced Catholicism. Many Catholics were comprised of the Hispanics/Latinos, Irish, Highland Scots, Italians, Dutch, Flemish, Polish, French, Portuguese, Hungarians, German, and Lebanese immigrants.
Greek, Ukrainian, Russian, Central and Eastern European, Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, and South Indian immigrants introduced Eastern Orthodox denomination and Oriental Orthodoxy to the United States.
Since then, American Christians developed in their own path. During the Great Awakenings interdenominational evangelicalism and Pentecostalism emerged, along with new Protestant denominations such as Adventist, and non-denominational movements such as the Restoration Movement (which over time separated into the Churches of Christ, the Christian churches and churches of Christ, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)), the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, also known as Jehovah’s Witnesses, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormonism.
Today, with 16.6 million adherents (5.3% of total population), the Southern Baptist Convention is the largest of more than 200 distinctly named Protestant denominations. Evangelicals comprising of 26.3% and Mainline Protestants 16% make up the total.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., is the largest Catholic Church in the United States.
The impact of the various sects varies greatly in different regions of the country, with rural parts of the South (except Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, and the Hispanic community, which both consist mainly of Catholics), having many evangelicals but very few Catholics.
Urbanised areas of the north Atlantic states and Great Lakes, as well as many industrial and mining towns, are heavily Catholic, although still mixed, mainly due to the heavily Protestant African-American communities.
As of 1990, close to 72% of the population of Utah was Mormon, as well as 26% of neighbouring Idaho. Lutheranism is most prominent in the Upper Midwest, with North Dakota having the highest percentage, 35%.
Despite its status as the most widespread and influential religion in the US, Christianity is shrinking. While the absolute number of Christians rose from 1990 to 2008 as the overall population increased, the actual percentage of Christians dropped from 86.2% to 76.0%.
A nationwide interview of 1,002 adults conducted via telephone by The Barna Group found that 70% of American adults believe that God is “the all-powerful, all-knowing creator of the universe who still rules it today”, and that 9% of all American adults and 0.5% young people hold to what the survey defined as a “biblical worldview.
Baha’i
The Baha’i faith was established in United States in 1894 by Ibrahim Kheiralla who was a Syrian immigrant. He later left the movement and formed a rival one.
United States is home to the second largest community of Baha’i.
Buddhism
Buddhism was introduced into the US during the 19th century with the arrival of the first immigrants from Eastern Asia. The first Buddhist temple was established in San Francisco in 1853 by Chinese Americans.
During the late 19th century Buddhist missionaries from Japan came to the US. The early 20th century was characterised by adoption of Buddhist roots followed in the 19th century. The second half, by contrast, saw the emergence of new approaches, and the move of Buddhism into the mainstream population.
Hinduism
Hindus migrated from India and other parts of Asia to settle in US. In 1960-1970 the International Society for Krishna Consciousness was founded in US.
According to recent surveys, Hindus in US are nearly 800,000 about 0.4% of total population.
Islam
American Islam actively and effectively began with the arrival of African slaves. It is estimated that about 10% of African slaves transported to the United States were Muslim.
Most, however, converted and became Christians, a significant number of Muslims awaited the arrival of immigrant populations from Arabic and East Asian Muslim regions.
Islam gained a higher profile through the Nation of Islam, a religious group that mostly appealed to African Americans after the 1940s; its prominent converts included Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali.The first Muslim elected in Congress was Keith Ellison in 2006 followed by Andre Carson in 2008.
According to research studies, Muslims in US are more distributed and successful that their counterparts in Europe. Similar to other religious communities in US, Muslims have their own political and charity organisations.
Jainism
Followers of Jainism first arrived in the United States in the 20th century. The most significant time of Jain immigration was in the early 1970s.
The United States has since become a centre of the Jain Diaspora. The Federation of Jain Associations in North America is an umbrella organisation of local American and Canadian Jain followers to preserve, practice, and promote Jainism and the Jain Way of Life as well as spread the faith to others.
Judaism
Judaism is the second largest religious affinity after Christianity. A significant number of people identify themselves as American Jews on ethnic and cultural grounds, rather than implying they hold that faith.
19% of self-identified American Jews believe God does not exist. The 2001 ARIS study projected from its sample that there are about 5.3 million adults in the American Jewish population, 2.83 million adults (1.4% of the U.S. adult population) are estimated to belong to Judaism, 1.08 million are estimated to have no religion, and 1.36 million are estimated to be adherents of a religion other than Judaism.
ARIS 2008 estimated about 2.68 million people (1.2%) in the country identify Judaism as their main faith.
The Jewish community in the United States is comprised predominantly of Ashkenazi Jews whose ancestors emigrated from Central and Eastern Europe.
There are, however, small numbers of older communities of Sephardi Jews with roots tracing back to 15th century Iberia (Spain, Portugal, and North Africa). There are also Mizrahi Jews (from the Middle East, Caucasia and Central Asia), as well as much smaller numbers of Ethiopian Jews, Indian Jews, Kaifeng Jews and others from various smaller Jewish ethnic divisions. About 25% of the Jewish American population lives in New York City.
Among active Jews, 33% belong to Orthodox synagogues, 32% are affiliated with the Conservative tradition, 28% belong to Reform congregations, 3% are Deconstructionists, and 4% belong to some other tradition.
Sikhism
Around 1900, the state of Punjab in what was called British India (India was colonised by Britain) was hit hard by British practices of mercantilism. Some Sikhs immigrated to the United States to work on farms in California.
The people who do not believe in any religion in US fall are categorised as atheists, agnostics and people who describe their religion as nothing in particular.
These people do not subscribed to any religion, but hold religious beliefs such as the existence of God or engage in religious practices like meditation.
Agnosticism and Humanism
Amongst the more than 100 people interviewed in a 2001 survey, the response, “no religious identification” had the greatest increase in population in both absolute and percentage terms. This category included atheists, agnostics, humanists, and others with no theistic religious beliefs or practices.
Figures are up from 14.3 million in 1990 to 34.2 million in 2008, representing a proportionate increase from 8% of the total in 1990 to 15% in 2008. Another nation-wide study puts the figure of unaffiliated persons at 16.1%.
Atheism
Some surveys have indicated that doubts about the existence of a god were growing quickly among Americans under 30.
On 24 March, 2012, American Atheists organised and sponsored the Reason Rally in Washington D.C. This was followed by the American Atheist Convention at the Bethesda North Marriott and Convention Center in Bethesda, MD. Organisers called the estimated crowd of 8,000-10,000 the largest-ever gathering of nonbelievers in one place.
Romantic, Scenic and Historic Places
Sedona – Arizona
Sedona is home to about 100 hiking trails making it a suitable location for outdoor fun for honeymooners who enjoy such.
The landscape is full of red rocks and jagged sandstones, the perfect backdrop being the sky that is always blue.
Aspen – Colorado
For honeymooners looking for a winter-theme for their holiday, the place to visit is Aspen, a popular skiing and snow activities town in the Colorado Mountains located in the state of Colorado.
The hotels in the area offer stay-and-ski deals, the best ways to get the most value for your money. Many include free nights, free lift tickets and discounts on food.
Kaua’i – Hawaii
Kaua’i has a premium on its natural beauty and prized hiking trails. Rates for rooms during the winter can peak around $500 a night. To get the most and save the most, consider visiting in fall.
This is the oldest island in Hawaii that is easily accessible by road, some regions can be visited on foot. Despite being the rainiest region, it’s still an ideal location for a honeymoon.
Map of Kauai:
Lanai – Hawaii
Lanai is Hawaii’s most exclusive island providing remote beaches, otherworldly rock formations and colorful underwater reefs.
Honeymooners can expect to be spoiled rotten with exceptional cuisine, first-class service and comfortable accommodations.
Map of Lanai:
Maui – Hawaii
Maui is one of the most exotic places on earth, making the US state of Hawaii a tourist hotspot. Rich with beaches and posh resorts, this is a lovely destination for honeymooners.
Honokalani beach
Map of Maui:
Las Vegas – Nevada
Las Vegas is well-known as a place for wild, spur-of-the-moment weddings. But it’s also rated among the top honeymoon spots, with good reason, home casinos and luxury hotels, to the money spent by gamblers, Las Vegas room rates and food prices are kept relatively low in relation to the city’s high opulence.
Several hotels that are suitable for a honeymoon are;
- Golden Nugget
- The Venetian
- Caesars Palace
Niagara Falls – New York
Niagara Falls is ideal for everyone especially a romantic getaways for couples.
With indoor water parks and Niagara attractions from Clifton Hill to Skylon Tower, this is honeymoon heaven.
From cozy rooms with views of the falls to spa treatments, you cannot go wrong holidaying here.
Charleston – South Carolina
Charleston is a city in the southern state of South Carolina. This city also offers innovative restaurants, interesting shops, contemporary art galleries and the world-class Spoleto Festival USA.
History is written in almost every aspect of this city, from the old majestic homes open to visitors to the museums that promote the city’s place in United States history. Charleston is known for its rich Southern food, a must try for any couple looking for that traditional place to have a honeymoon.
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