Marriage Licenses: What You Need to Know
Getting engaged is incredibly exciting. But, once you’re done celebrating, you’ll have some practical matters to attend to. One of these is getting your marriage license. This is a document that validates that you and your partner are legally allowed to wed. Marriage licenses have different requirements depending on where you live and where you’re getting married. However, it’s important that you follow all the steps and requirements that pertain to you. Otherwise, your wedding won’t legally marry you and your partner.
Timing is Everything
First things first, whether you’re getting married on Maui or anywhere else, you need to apply for your marriage license at the right time. The “right time” will depend on where you are getting your license since these rules vary from one county to the next. In some areas, for example, marriage licenses expire after three months, so you won’t want to apply too early. In others, you have to wait a set number of days after applying to get married. With so many variations in rules, it’s important to be 100% clear on which ones apply to you.
Gather The Right Documentation
Once you’re ready to apply for your marriage license, you and your partner will both need to head to the county clerk’s office. You may also be required to bring a witness, depending on where you live. Furthermore, you’ll need to bring some documentation with you. Again, the rules on exactly what you’ll need vary. But, in general, you’ll want to carry along at least the following:
• Your drivers’ licenses or passports
• Your birth certificates
• Information about each of your parents
• A certificate of divorce or your former spouse’s death certificate if past marriages have occurred
• The marriage license fee (which varies)
Get Married!
Once you have applied for the marriage license, you’re ready to get married officially. You can have your ceremony, sign the license (making sure to get all the required signatures in your state), and then have your officiant drop it off at or mail it to the county clerk’s office. It’s as simple as that to make your marriage legally binding.
