In most US states, a marriage license is required to perform a legal marriage ceremony or declaration of marriage. The celebration takes place upon payment of a fee to the clerk of the county registry office. You will be asked to release personal information, information about your family, identity documents and other documents such as blood tests or divorce decree. See how a marriage license is obtained.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Part One: Preparing for the License
Step 1. Visit your county court chancellery website
Look for marriage licensing requirements in your area.
- All marriage licenses are provided by the County Court Chancellery, so requirements vary greatly from county to county. Make sure you do this research at least a month before your wedding date.
- The identification of the right one is done on the basis of your county of residence. In the event that a resident is about to marry a non-resident of the state, they should choose the residence of the state in which they have decided to marry.
Step 2. Request certified copies of your birth certificate
Many states require it. If you were born in a different city or state, it could take anywhere from 6 months to a year to get it.
Alternatively, the Court Registry may ask for your passport, driver's license or other identity documents
Step 3. If you are divorced, get a copy of the divorce decree
While it's not always required, you may need it.
Step 4. Find out if blood tests are also required in your state
Some want the rubella vaccine. If you do not want to do blood tests, apply for exemption.
Your doctor must authorize the results of your tests in case you need them to request immunity or for other medical reasons. People are often exempted if they are infertile or over 50
Step 5. Determine if there will be a waiting period
Marriage licenses could take 5 to 30 days before the wedding. They are usually legal for about 6 months before the celebration.
Method 2 of 4: Part Two: Apply for a Marriage License
Step 1. See if you can fill out the online marriage certificate form
It is likely that you can fill out the form, pay online and go to collect your marriage license at the Chancery Office of the Court.
Step 2. Print the marriage license form online, if this option is available in your county
You can then fill in the form in advance and sign it at the Court Registry.
- You will need some personal information, such as date of birth, social security number, address and place of birth to fill out the form.
- You may also need to know where your parents were born and / or where they reside. Always write the names in full.
Step 3. If you need to fill out the form in person, make an appointment at the Court Registry Office
Some offices require you to make an appointment a month in advance, while others ask you to arrive during the week before 4pm
Step 4. Choose whether to celebrate or declare your marriage
Your state may not have this option.
A solemnized marriage license is a form signed by a religious representative, an ordained minister, or a Justice of the Peace. If you are going to do this, be sure to set a wedding date before the license expires. Service and travel expenses are usually associated with booking a date with a religious or bailiff
Step 5. A marriage declaration is a document completed by the spouses declaring themselves united in marriage
This practice began when an officer could not be found who could perform the marriage. Check the website of the Court Registry to find out what documents are required. While there may be a waiting period, some counties allow you to sign your declaration at the same time as your application as they recognize the marriage immediately.
Step 6. Bring what you need to pay on the day of the appointment
Marriage license modules can cost between $ 25 and $ 150.
Method 3 of 4: Part Three: Apply for an In-Person Marriage License
Step 1. Consider bringing 2 witnesses to the Court Chancellery the day you apply for a marriage license
If you don't bring any, the Chancellor can get them for you.
Step 2. Sign your marriage license request and pay on the day of the appointment
You may need to be under oath to complete the request.
Step 3. Request a certified copy of your application so that it can be signed by the person who will perform the ceremony
Method 4 of 4: Part Four: Marriage License Supplement
Step 1. If you have applied for marriage license online, go to the Court Registry on the scheduled day
You will need to request a copy for the ceremony.
Step 2. Give a copy of the marriage license to the Justice of the Peace or ordained minister on the day of the ceremony
They could preside over the signing of the marriage certificate.
Make sure that the person fully agrees to complete and sign the marriage certificate before your marriage license expires
Step 3. Go back to the clerk of the court to obtain certified copies of the marriage license
Costs are usually around $ 2 and $ 30 per copy.
