Age. In most states, the legal age to marry is 18. In some states, you may be able to get married if you are younger than 18 by providing parental consent (and, in some cases, the consent of a judge). [2] X Research source [3] X Research source In Mississippi, parental consent is necessary for applicants under the age of 21. [4] X Research source In Nebraska, the legal age to marry is 19. Persons younger than 19 must provide parental consent. [5] X Research source Family relationship. All US states prohibit marriage between ancestors and descendants, such as grandparents and grandchildren, aunts/uncles and nieces/nephews, or parents and children. 20 states currently allow first cousins to get married. 6 additional states will allow first cousins to marry under certain circumstances (e. g. , above a certain age or unable to reproduce). [6] X Trustworthy Source National Conference of State Legislatures Bipartisan, nongovernment organization serving the members of state legislatures and their constituents Go to source As of 2015, same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. [7] X Research source
In some counties, you will need to bring your original birth certificate (or a certified copy) as evidence of your age. For example, some Virginia counties require an original birth certificate to apply for a marriage license. However, other counties in the same state will not accept a birth certificate as proof of identity, and do not otherwise require applicants to present one. [8] X Research source Check with your county or municipal court’s office to make sure that you meet the state’s minimum age requirement and have the appropriate documentation of your age. Many states will allow applicants to marry if one or both applicants are under the minimum age with parental consent. In some cases, such as in New York, a family court judge may also need to provide consent. [9] X Research source Emancipated minors may also marry without parental consent.
Government-issued photo IDs, such as passports or driver’s licenses, are generally accepted as proof of identity. Many states require your original birth certificate (or a certified copy) and your Social Security card as proof of your identity. You and your partner must bring physical copies of these proofs with you when you apply for the marriage license. If your original documents are in a foreign language, you must usually provide a certified translation into English, along with the original copy. A certified translation should be signed, dated, and contain a statement that attests to the accuracy of the translation.
In some states, however, you may certify that you are free to marry by signing a document or providing a notarized statement. If either you or your partner were previously married, you will likely need to provide information about those marriages on your application. For example, in the state of New York, you must be able to provide information regarding whether your former spouse is still living, and whether the marriage ended by divorce, annulment or death. [11] X Research source Bring copies of your divorce decree (sometimes known as a Final Order of Divorce) or other dissolution documents with you when you apply. In some states, such as Pennsylvania, widowed applicants must bring a copy of their deceased spouse’s death certificate. [12] X Research source
Neither partner must change his or her surname, and surnames do not automatically change upon marriage. The Social Security Administration will accept marriage documents to legally change your name on Social Security records. If you decide to legally change your surname upon marriage, you must notify Social Security. Social Security cannot “automatically” change your surname. [13] X Trustworthy Source Social Security Administration Independent U. S. government agency responsible for the administration and management of Social Security Go to source Some states have specific restrictions on what surnames may be adopted, and some states have no restrictions at all. Check with your county clerk’s office to determine what restrictions (if any) apply in your state.
In many states, you can receive your marriage license immediately. Some states, however, have a waiting period between one and six days between when you apply for your license and when you receive it. For example, in Pennsylvania, there is a 72-hour waiting period before you receive your license. [15] X Research source In some states, there is also a waiting period between the time you receive your marriage license and when you can use it to get legally married. For example, New York has a 24-hour waiting period. [16] X Research source [17] X Research source If you do not observe these waiting periods, your marriage may not be legally valid. Waivers may be available under certain circumstances. For example, in New York, you may apply for a judicial waiver of the waiting period if your circumstances require you to get married immediately (e. g. , your intended is being deployed in the military)[18] X Research source If you are in a huge hurry, you can look into getting married in a state where there is no waiting period, or get married in Las Vegas. Clark County, Nevada is widely recognized as probably the easiest place to get legally married in the US.
“Proxy” marriage, where only one person must appear, is almost never allowed. In Colorado, you may authorize a third person to act as your proxy if you cannot be present at the wedding solemnization. Your proxy must provide photo ID and a notarized copy of the Marriage Ceremony Proxy Power of Attorney form. In California, an applicant who is a member of the Armed Forces, is serving overseas in a conflict, and cannot return home to personally apply for a license, may marry by using an “attorney-in-fact. ” Applicants must fill out a power of attorney form, and the attorney-in-fact must appear at the County Clerk’s office with the notarized POA. Texas makes certain exceptions for absent applicants in particular circumstances. The absent applicant must complete an affidavit and have it notarized. The third party must present the absent applicant’s photo ID and the notarized affidavit. Many counties have unique/different requirements. Read carefully on the county website to make sure you have the correct requirements and paperwork.
Full legal name and any other names used Date Place of birth Parents’ full names and places of birth Whether either party has been divorced, and the date of divorce if applicable Who will be performing the marriage ceremony Social Security Numbers
Some states, such as Oklahoma and Georgia, will reduce the fee for a marriage license if you can provide proof that you have completed pre-marital counseling. [20] X Research source [21] X Research source Call the records clerk in advance to check whether they will accept your preferred method of payment. Many courts accept only credit cards or money orders, while some only accept cash. In some places, such as D. C. , the marriage license application fee will be waived if you already have a domestic partnership certificate.
Know the duration period of your marriage license and marry before it expires. If you do not use your marriage license before it expires, you must re-apply for another license (and pay another fee). Some states’ marriage licenses have no expiration date. Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, New Mexico, and South Carolina, along with the District of Columbia, do not have an expiration period for marriage licenses. [23] X Research source
For example, in Virginia, your officiant (or “celebrant”) must be authorized by a Virginia Circuit Court prior to performing your wedding ceremony. Online ordinations are not recognized by Virginia courts. [24] X Research source These requirements may also vary by county or jurisdiction. For example, if you wish to get married in any of the five boroughs of New York City, your officiant must register with the City Clerk’s office in Manhattan. This requirement does not apply anywhere else in the state of New York. [25] X Research source Most states do allow officiants to become ordained online, through organizations such as the Universal Life Church[26] X Research source or American Marriage Ministries. [27] X Research source Check with your issuing office to make sure this is legal in your state. A few states, such as Colorado, allow you to “self-solemnize” your marriage. You may indicate “themselves” on the appropriate line of the marriage certificate form. Check with your court about solemnizing requirements!
Some states, such as Virginia, do not require witnesses. [28] X Research source Some states require that witnesses be of a certain age. Other states merely require that the witness be able to attest to the fact that s/he witnessed the marriage take place.
The office will send you a marriage certificate, which is your proof that the marriage took place. Your marriage is deemed legal once the license is received and filed. Many states require the marriage license to be filed within a certain number of days (often 14-15 days). If the marriage license is not filed within that period, the marriage may not be considered legally valid unless a new license is issued and filed. [29] X Trustworthy Source State of Missouri Official website for the State of Missouri Go to source
