Hello everyone
I have a very important question and I know that you guys here can help me. My husband-so I think-and I were married May 2, 2004 in our home, which was Mississippi, by his father. The thing is, his father isn't an active preacher anymore. He used to be a preacher several years ago, but hasn't in several years. We both signed the papers and took them to the courthouse, but are we legally married? The only people who were there was our children, his father, me and my "husband".
2007-01-06 06:36:45 · 14 answers · asked by Shaye306 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
If the court house registered you as married, then you are married.
2007-01-06 06:39:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes you are.
People who are ordained can marry people even if they are retired. We were offered the services of a retired preist when we got married. He could still perform the service and wanted to do so even though he is older now and retired. When you are ordaine, you are ordained. You might want to double check with your state regulations to see if the person that has married needed a special certificate for your state at the time. But if it is registered at the courthouse afterwards and was ok-ed... then it is legal. (And it doesn't matter who was a the wedding or not, the children and/or your father in law were the witnesses.)
2007-01-06 06:49:12 · answer #2 · answered by mellybee4321 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as it was stamped by a notary public you are legally married. If your papers are filed at the courthouse then I'm sure the marriage was legal....it doesn't have anything to do with wether or not the preacher was active at the time.
2007-01-06 06:46:25 · answer #3 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In most states officiating people have to update their state license to perform marriages every few years. When his father signed your papers he would have to put his license number in order for the court to accept it. Usually you have to sign something to just get the initial papers. Also, in most states just orally agreeing to marriage in front of someone legally santioned to perform marriages, without paperwork can be legally enforced by either partner. You just need to go to the county website that you lived in and order copies. Did you change your name? I suppose not as you need a marriage certificate to do it. This certificate is super important! For health benefits, claiming social security, making decisions at the hospital for your partner, for the kids, etc.
2007-01-06 06:53:37 · answer #4 · answered by jackson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't be afraid to call the courthouse. As a betting man, I'd say you were. It doesn't take much, just a signed marriage certificate.
2007-01-06 06:40:22 · answer #5 · answered by boozer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have a marriage license issued by the state that you reside in, then you are married. It doesn't matter who performed the ceremony!
2007-01-06 06:40:22 · answer #6 · answered by Royalhinney 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you filed papers with the court, then you are married. If he's an ordained minister, doesn't matter if he's practicing or not.
2007-01-06 06:40:50 · answer #7 · answered by Phrosty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ONCE YOU ARE A PREACHER, OR PRIEST, YOU'RE ALWAYS ONE...YOU CAN RETIRE JUST LIKE FROM ANY OTHER PROFESSION....IF YOU TOOK THE PAPERS TO THE COURTHOUSE AND FILED THEM, YOU'RE MARRIED BABY.
2007-01-06 06:40:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You signed legal documents.
You're married.
2007-01-06 06:39:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
why wouldn't you be. If you are not certain, then call the courthouse, explain the situation to them and ask them.
2007-01-06 06:41:08 · answer #10 · answered by nickle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋