How to Get a Marriage License

Most people look forward to their wedding day with great anticipation. After all, it is supposed to be the happiest day of their lives! While everyone says that marriage is a union of two souls and all of that, one cannot and should not ignore the legal aspect of marriage. After all, there are a lot of legalities that a marriage may entail, like joint bank accounts, joint asset holdings etc. Hence, yes there is a legal side to marriage. Hence, to formalize the fact that a certain couple is married, there is a need to put it in writing, in front of the court of law, and with adequate witnesses, that the two people are married. And to get married you need a license.

Getting a Marriage License

I feel the most important difference between a marriage and a live-in relationship is the marriage certificate and the license. After all, a marriage is a legally binding arrangement, much unlike a live-in relationship. When two people decide to get married, they have to factor in a lot of considerations regarding the laws of the land.

A license is something which is like a legal go-ahead for any activity. A license means that the government or any other governing body has sanctioned some permission to a person who has applied. Same holds true in case of a marriage. In order to get married, it is imperative that a person applies to the government (in the US, the state government) stating that he/she intends to get married and requests the government to grant them such a license which will enable that person to get married in accordance with the laws of the land.

The Process of Getting a Marriage License
Since the job of allotment of marriage licenses in the United States is given to the state government, the procedures and requirements for the same vary from state to state. But then again, some requirements are demanded by all. So here's the basic outline for the steps to get one.

The first thing you need to get a marriage license is a document which will prove that you have crossed the minimum marriageable age as prescribed by the law of the land. The birth certificate is an ideal document for this. The second thing you need to do is to have a document which proves that you do not have a contagious venereal disease or rubella. A blood test report will be adequate documentation for the same. A photo identity may also be required by some states as a proof of identity. If you have been divorced, then you will also need to carry a proof of your divorce. And lastly, an application form with your name stating your desire to the state government of obtaining a marriage license. This is more or less all the documents that your state government asks you for in order to get a marriage license.

Once you have obtained all these documents, it is simply a matter of going to the county clerk's office, submitting the forms and copies of the documents and paying the necessary fees. The person in charge may also choose to ask you some questions related to your previous marriage, if you've been married before. And you're done. The license will be sent to your address or you may have to pick it up from the county clerk's office once it is ready.

It is important that you know about obtaining a marriage license and how to get a marriage certificate as they are important documents related to your marriage which you always need to have.