me and my boyfriend is getting ready to make the next step in our lives and get married. and we had different ideas on how it goes. is it the wedding ceremony first or the marriage certificate?
2007-08-10 16:51:49 · 21 answers · asked by eager2know 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
you need to get the certificate before the wedding, then the ceremony takes place, then afterwards you and your witnesses sign it.
2007-08-10 16:55:57 · answer #1 · answered by Christina V 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You need to get a marriage *licence* no more than 3 months before your wedding (they expire). In some cases, it may be 2 months.
*After the ceremony*, your marriage certificate is officially signed by the priest, etc. and witnessed by your Maid of Honor and Best Man (I think), who also sign. Some non-religious ceremonies may incorporate the signing as part of the ceremony. At this point, you are legally married! Congrats!
Many churches will print up the certificate some time beforehand. You do not have to worry about getting this. All you need to worry about is the license.
2007-08-10 20:24:17 · answer #2 · answered by reginachick22 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to go to the county clerks office of the county you will be getting married in and get a marriage license within a month before the wedding. You then bring the marriage license with you to the wedding ceremony and your 2 witnesses and the officiant sign the license to make it official. Usually the officiant takes the marriage license back the county clerks office for final processing within a few days after the wedding but sometimes a family member can be chosen to do that.
2007-08-12 15:57:01 · answer #3 · answered by Emily G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A marriage license gives you the right to be married by anyone authorized to marry you. It is a legal document. Yes, most if not all marriage licenses have a time limit which varies by state. You can be married at the license bureau after a short period of time which also varies from state to state. It may be a couple of days to a couple of weeks before you can be married anywhere in the state you got the license from. You do not have to have a religious ceremony at this time...or ever, if you don't want one. Being married at city hall is all that is necessary. You can have a religious wedding at anytime after this official wedding. You can have a reception anytime after the official wedding. A shotgun wedding is altogether different. That's when her papa or brother's tell you you are going to marry this gal whether you want to or not. So, call your City Hall and ask about marriage licenses and waiting periods and go do it....both of you will have to go to apply. Best wishes.
2016-05-19 04:39:22 · answer #4 · answered by elizabeth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://usmarriagelaws.com/
1. Go to site above. Click on your state for details.
2. Get the marriage license.
3. Have the ceremony.
4. Most officiants have you and the witnesses sign the license immediately after the ceremony.
2007-08-11 01:37:47 · answer #5 · answered by Suz123 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(I am a Chaplain and wedding officiate) You first will need your wedding license. The Wedding Ceremony solomizes your vows. When signed by the bride, groom, witnesses and the officiate, it is then a LEGAL marriage. It then must be given to the state where you are married to be recorded. In some states like mine (Arizona) the license is good for 1 year. Gives ya some time to make those plans. Best wishes, Chaplain Debby
2007-08-10 18:32:50 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have to have the marriage certificate first because the priest has to sign it and mail it in after the ceremony. most states make you wait a day or so inbetween the 2 so check that before it gets to late. they do expire if you dont use it within the allowed time to.
2007-08-10 20:47:52 · answer #7 · answered by icy_bath 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to first apply for a marriage certificate before you get married and have your ceremony. You will need to apply at your local county clerks office (usually located in the courthouse). The following website will give you marriage license rules and tell you what you need to bring with you along with phone numbers for all of the county clerks offices in your particular state.
www.usmarriagelaws.com
If you have any questions about what you need you can call your local county clerks office and they should be able to explain what you need over the phone.
Then after you pick up your marriage license (some states have what is called a waiting period where you have to wait so many days until you can pick up your license after applying for it) you will take it with you on your rehearsal or wedding day to give to the pastor. He will either take care of mailing it in for you after the witnesses have signed it along with you and your groom or you will be responsible for mailing it off.
2007-08-10 17:27:06 · answer #8 · answered by Wedding Planner 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it would make sense to have the wedding ceremony first then marriage certificate!
2007-08-10 17:05:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I live in Texas and you have to go get the marriage license before you get married now you do not have to have it with you at the marriage ceremony but you have to have it.
2007-08-10 17:00:11 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋