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Marriage
Licenses
What You Need To Know
Since rules and regulations regarding marriage varies from state to
state, couples may have to locate information specific to their place of
residence. If you plan on holding a wedding at a different location, you
may have to follow a different set of marriage rules.
Depending
on the state, you might pick up a marriage license at the City Hall or
pay a visit to the city or town clerk's office. Out-of-state licenses
are sometimes offered at a marriage license bureau in the county you
plan on getting married at.
To find out where marriage licenses are processed, checking the
appropriate Yellow Pages is a great way to start. The Internet also
provides a wealth of information that allows couples to search the
details pertaining to statewide marriage license requirements.
Once an
office has been located, placing a call will help avoid future
confusion. Most states allow couples to walk right in to apply for a
license, while some offices work on a make-an-appointment basis. In the
majority of states, both the bride and the groom should be
present, while some circumstances permit exceptions.
You Should Bring…
In order to apply for a marriage license, there are a few things you
need to bring along before the entire process becomes complete.
A birth
certificate is an important document pertaining to the procedure
because it will confirm whether or not you are of legal age to get
married. In some states, parents may give consent to 16- and
17-year-olds interested in getting married. Sometimes proof of parental
consent is enough to complete the process, while in some cases, court
consent is also required. Couples must also show proof of citizenship
and/or residence.
Photo ID
is another essential piece of information needed.
If you were previously married and have gone through a divorce, a
divorce decree is required at the time of applying for a new marriage
license. If you were previously married, but your former husband or wife
is no longer living, a death certificate is mandatory. In some states,
the results of a blood test (to reveal any possible venereal diseases
and in some cases, expose a disease-causing gene one companion may have
in their blood) are needed to apply for a license. Only a handful of
states still follow this rule, such as Connecticut, Indiana, and
Mississippi.
Fees
Depending on the state you plan on holding your wedding, there are
applicable fees to consider when applying for a marriage license. For
example, marriage licenses issued by a town or city clerk in the state
of New York (outside of New York City) cost $40 to $50, whereas issued
licenses from the City Clerk of the City of New York carry a fee of $35.
In California, $40 is expected with some counties only accepting a cash
payment. In Kentucky, couples pay the non-refundable fee of $34.50 by
way of cash, certified check, cashier's check, or money order.
Things to Think About When Making Plans
Just because you obtain a marriage license doesn’t mean you will face an
unrestricted amount of time to get married. This kind of
license carries limitations, such as expiration dates and in some cases,
a waiting period. According to varying state rules, a marriage license
may last as short as ten days or as long as six months. Once a couple
gets their license in hand, they may meet a short amount of time before
they are allowed to legally hold their wedding. For example, the state
of Delaware requires residents to wait one day, while non-residents must
wait four days before marrying. It is important to find out the specific
details concerning the place you intend on getting married at in order
to avoid an interruption of plans.
After the Wedding
Once you have taken the memorable walk down the aisle, the individual
who has officiated your wedding will submit a signed license to the
proper marriage license bureau. A certified copy should arrive in the
mail within a couple of weeks or a few months – a period of time that
varies depending on specific state rules.
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