A Guide to Getting a Marriage License
A marriage license is one of the few things you will actually need in order to marry your fiance.
This is a fact that is often overlooked when you are industriously engaged in the throws of wedding planning.
At the same time, getting a marriage license does not mean that you actually are married so you still definitely do need the wedding.
The requirements for acquiring a marriage license vary across the country and you will need to check with your city clerk who will be in a better position to advise you.
However, there are a few things you will most likely need.
Firstly, you will almost always be required to provide some sort of official documentation.
This usually takes the form of a birth certificate, a driver's license and some proof that you are actually a citizen or resident in the country.
If you have previously been married you will be required to bring a divorce decree or in the case of being widowed a death certificate.
Some states may also ask you for blood tests.
You will also generally have to pay a fee for your license and there is often a waiting period before it is validated.
This waiting period is often about three days but in some states it may be longer.
It is also important to note that your marriage license will normally have an expiry date.
Therefore it is crucial that you do not get your license too early as in some states, it may run out within thirty days.
After you have received your marriage license you are then free to be married.
Of course you will need to be wed by someone who is legally allowed to do so in your state and they will need to sign the license before it is returned to the clerk.
As well as your officiant, two witnesses are needed to sign.
Most people choose the best man and the maid of honor to fulfill this duty.
Frequently the bride and groom will also be asked to sign the license.
After everyone has signed the license it is then returned to the clerk's office for processing and a few weeks later you can pick up a copy of it.
Congratulations you are now officially married! One important point to remember is that if you are having a destination wedding the rules may be very different.
Be sure to check with the authorities in the country you are marrying in before you go too far with your wedding planning, as some countries require that you are a resident before you can legally wed there.
This is a fact that is often overlooked when you are industriously engaged in the throws of wedding planning.
At the same time, getting a marriage license does not mean that you actually are married so you still definitely do need the wedding.
The requirements for acquiring a marriage license vary across the country and you will need to check with your city clerk who will be in a better position to advise you.
However, there are a few things you will most likely need.
Firstly, you will almost always be required to provide some sort of official documentation.
This usually takes the form of a birth certificate, a driver's license and some proof that you are actually a citizen or resident in the country.
If you have previously been married you will be required to bring a divorce decree or in the case of being widowed a death certificate.
Some states may also ask you for blood tests.
You will also generally have to pay a fee for your license and there is often a waiting period before it is validated.
This waiting period is often about three days but in some states it may be longer.
It is also important to note that your marriage license will normally have an expiry date.
Therefore it is crucial that you do not get your license too early as in some states, it may run out within thirty days.
After you have received your marriage license you are then free to be married.
Of course you will need to be wed by someone who is legally allowed to do so in your state and they will need to sign the license before it is returned to the clerk.
As well as your officiant, two witnesses are needed to sign.
Most people choose the best man and the maid of honor to fulfill this duty.
Frequently the bride and groom will also be asked to sign the license.
After everyone has signed the license it is then returned to the clerk's office for processing and a few weeks later you can pick up a copy of it.
Congratulations you are now officially married! One important point to remember is that if you are having a destination wedding the rules may be very different.
Be sure to check with the authorities in the country you are marrying in before you go too far with your wedding planning, as some countries require that you are a resident before you can legally wed there.
