Legal Definitions - marriage broker

A marriage broker is an individual or entity that facilitates or arranges a marriage between two people, specifically doing so in return for payment or some other valuable benefit. The defining characteristic is that they receive "consideration"—meaning something of value, typically money—for their services in bringing about the marital union. It is important to understand that engaging in marriage brokerage can be illegal in many jurisdictions, potentially leading to criminal charges.

• Example 1: A company advertises its services to wealthy individuals seeking spouses from a specific cultural background in another country. The company charges a substantial upfront fee for introducing potential partners, conducting background checks, and coordinating meetings between the individuals and their families. Once a marriage agreement is reached, an additional success fee is often collected.

  Explanation: This company acts as a marriage broker because it actively "arranges a marriage" by connecting individuals with the explicit goal of matrimony, and it does so "in exchange for consideration" in the form of both the upfront and success fees.

• Example 2: In a community where traditional arranged marriages are common, a respected elder offers their services to families looking for suitable partners for their children. This elder receives a significant sum of money or a valuable gift, such as a piece of land, from the families once a marriage agreement is successfully concluded and the union takes place.

  Explanation: The elder functions as a marriage broker by "arranging a marriage" through their efforts to find and match partners, and they receive "consideration" in the form of the money or valuable gift from the families for their successful facilitation.

• Example 3: An individual operates an online platform that connects foreign nationals with citizens of another country, promising to facilitate marriages that could lead to immigration benefits. They charge a "service fee" for each successful match that results in a marriage, regardless of whether the primary intent of the marriage is genuine affection or immigration purposes.

  Explanation: This individual is acting as a marriage broker because they "arrange a marriage" by facilitating connections specifically for the purpose of marriage, and they receive a "service fee" as "consideration" for their role in bringing about these unions.