How To Obtain A Marriage License

Posted on: 26 September 2022

Are you ready to get married? Getting married is a huge goal for many people. It is a chance to share your life with someone you love. However, before you can get married, there are some legalities that you need to take care of. When you want to get married, you need to get a marriage license.  

There are some documents and processes that you will need to go through to make sure that you get your license. Here's a look at what you need to know about getting a marriage license.

Limited Time

One of the things you need to remember about a marriage license is that they tend to have expiration dates. This means that you will need to get married within a specific amount of time before the license expires. 

Ideally, you should have a wedding date in mind before you go ahead and apply for your license. The amount of time you get on your marriage license is usually dependent on where you live and the laws that govern the area.

Where to Go for Your License

To get your license, you will need to visit your local city hall or go to a county clerk. It is important that both potential spouses appear together to obtain the marriage license. There are some documents that you need to get to make sure that everything goes smoothly. Here is a list of the most common documents you may be required to show:

  • An ID with a photo
  • Proof of citizenship
  • Birth certificate
  • Receipt of license payment
  • A death certificate if widowed
  • A divorce decree if divorced

There may be more documents depending on where you live. For example, in some places, they may require blood tests.

Marrying a Citizen of Another Country

You can marry a citizen of another country who is already in the country. You can choose to get married where you are located and the marriage will still be considered valid. If your spouse wishes to stay in the country, you will need to file the necessary immigration papers to make it legal. You should avoid marrying someone just to help them stay in the country. Your marriage will be assessed for its validity, and if you fail to prove the marriage is real, there are likely to be legal consequences.

Obtaining a marriage license is relatively easy, and once you have all the required documents, there is unlikely to be an issue with receiving one.

Call a professional if you need help getting a marriage license

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