Your union won't be official until you obtain your marriage license. Here's everything you need to know before you head to the marriage bureau. Show
We have included third party products to help you navigate and enjoy life’s biggest moments. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission. Amid the blur of organizing your wedding and honeymoon plans, it's surprisingly easy to forget that you actually have to get legally married on paper. Why do you need a marriage license? Whether you are planning a civil marriage ceremony or a religious one, getting a marriage license beforehand is basically a permit to get married—a legal document for the public records stating that you and your partner are free and eligible to marry one another. After the wedding ceremony, you'll get a marriage certificate—the certified copy of the marriage registration to prove you are married. Sure, it's paperwork, but it's still exciting (not to mention necessary). So, how do you get a marriage license (a.k.a. wedding license)? We've broken it all down for you with these six easy steps to getting your marriage papers in order, along with answers to frequently asked questions. Step 1: Choose Your Marriage LocationWhere do you get a marriage license?Once you know in which municipality (city, district and county) your nuptials will take place, you'll need to locate where to obtain the license and learn whether they schedule walk-in visits or offer marriage license online applications. It might be city hall, the town or city clerk's office, or the marriage license bureau in the county where you plan to wed. For example, in Connecticut, marriage licenses are issued by the municipal clerk's office in the town where you'll be married, whereas in Iowa, couples may apply at any county registrar or recorder's office. In some states, like New Jersey, you can simply download a marriage license brochure and the license itself to be filled out by you and your spouse-to-be. In the State of California, they have two types of marriage licenses: a public marriage license and a confidential marriage license, adding yet another regional difference. Refer to the Marriage License Information by State below to find the office location, legal requirements and additional information for planning a wedding in that region. Step 2: Set Your Wedding DateWhen do you get a marriage license?Other than the physical paperwork, it's important to be aware of when to apply for a marriage license. There is a specific window around your wedding date within which you must apply, receive, sign and submit your marriage license. As soon as your wedding date and location are set, get the marriage license application so that you know when to apply and the ID requirements for your jurisdiction. You should plan to file as early as 90 days or at least one week before your wedding. Once you receive your license, some states require a several-day mandatory waiting period between granting the license and your nuptials taking place—this can range from 24 hours in New York City, to 72 hours, as required in the State of Texas. You don't want to run the risk of applying too early, as your marriage license could expire, or too late such that you haven't allowed for the waiting period. Once you've done your research, add these important dates to your calendar and wedding checklist. How long does a marriage license last?Most marriage licenses are only valid for a period of time and then expire—anywhere between 10 days and a year—during which you must have the wedding ceremony, sign the license (together with your officiant and witnesses) and file for a certified marriage record (the signed marriage license is usually submitted by the officiant). For example, in California, the completed marriage license needs to be returned to the clerk recorder's office within 10 business days. In Florida, it needs to be submitted before the marriage license expires (i.e. 60 days after issuance). Pro tip: Don't wait until the last minute to get organized. It's very important that you allow enough time to research the procedure and timing in your wedding location, complete the application and gather up the ID requirements so you're ready to apply within the appropriate window. Step 3: Decide Whether You Will Change Your NameThe marriage license application may also ask you if you're changing your surname after marriage, so we highly recommend having that discussion well before you file for one (the city clerk's office isn't the place to weigh your options). Of course, if you'd rather wait to decide, you can. In that case, work with a service like HitchSwitch to make the name change process as seamless as possible postwedding. Find out how to change your last name after the wedding here. Step 4: Apply for a Marriage LicenseThe marriage license application that you complete and submit is an affidavit —a sworn statement that there are no legal impediments to the marriage. Once you're ready to apply, you and your future spouse should be prepared to visit the office together (either in person or virtually (if available)). In some states, you may be required to bring a witness. Bring Your DocumentationRequirements do vary by state, but they all want to confirm the basics: that you have proper forms of identification, that you're not currently married to anyone else (if you previously were, you need proper proof of divorce or widowhood), and date of birth to prove that you're of legal age to marry. Marriage License ID Requirements:
How much does a marriage license cost?The marriage license fee varies by office and ranges from $35 to $150. Check to see which methods of payment are accepted—cash, debit card, credit card, check or money order? How long does it take to get a marriage license?The actual time between filing your application and receiving your license can take a few days depending on the location's office hours and procedure (e.g. whether you can pick it up in person at the time of application or receive it by mail a few days later). Step 5. Sign and Submit Your Marriage LicenseOnce you receive your marriage license, don't forget to bring it to your wedding ceremony. After the marriage ceremony, the couple, witnesses and the officiant will sign the marriage license. WitnessesTypically, the best man and maid-of-honor or parents act as witnesses, but this doesn't have to be the case. The usual requirement is that a marriage license witness needs to be old enough to know that they are witnessing a marriage ceremony (usually over 18 years of age) and must be able to sign their own name without assistance. Officiant's SignatureThe officiant is a legal official—justice of the peace, county or court clerk, a judge, magistrate or notary public. Exact requirements vary from state to state (and county to county in some cases). The officiant submits the signed marriage license to be certified by local officials within a time limit (e.g. within 10 days in California or within 60 days of issue date in Texas). Step 6: Get a Marriage CertificateThe issuance of a marriage certificate can occur after the marriage license has been certified by local officials. Some states automatically send the marriage certificate to the newlywed couple in the mail; others require that copies are ordered and purchased. It's a good idea to have a marriage certificate on file as proof of marriage for taxes, insurance, banking, mortgage applications, a name change, etc. Marriage License Information by StateLooking for an office location near you? With all of this general information in mind, we've got everything you need to know about the marriage license application process in each state:
What do you need a marriage certificate for UK?You'll need it to change your names on your bank accounts, insurance and passport, for example. Even if you are not changing your name, you will need proof of your marriage for things like visa applications, applying for finance as a couple and adoption applications.
How do I get a marriage certificate in Alabama?In Person in Alabama: You may go to any county health department in the State of Alabama to obtain a certified copy of an Alabama marriage certificate. Most marriage certificates can be issued while you wait. A map showing locations of county health departments where vital records may be obtained is available.
What do you do with a marriage license after getting married in Ohio?After the wedding ceremony, the original copy of the marriage license must be returned to the County Clerk's office for recording. Pursuant to MCL 551.104, the marriage license must be returned within 10 days of the ceremony.
Why do you need a marriage certificate in Ontario?After you have had your marriage ceremony, you may need a marriage certificate. The certificate contains details of your marriage performed in Ontario and proves that a marriage has taken place. You may need a marriage certificate for a number of reasons, including changing your name.
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Why do you need a marriage certificate
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