Do people have to do both?
I heard that if you get married at the courthouse the license or whatever you get there is only good for a short while until you actually get married in a church.
Is that true?
so what is the difference?
2007-08-12 09:20:20 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
If you marry in a church you are married in the eyes of God and are legally bound in the eyes of society. If you marry in the courthouse you are only married legally in the eyes of society. Both are legal and valid. If you believe in God get married in a church. If not get married in the courthouse.
2007-08-12 09:25:29 · answer #1 · answered by Velouria 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
There are some countries where a civil ceremony is required and the church one comes a day or two later. In these cases, the church ceremony is purely optional.
In the US, you choose either a civil or a religious ceremony and either is legally binding. A civil ceremony may be held anywhere other than a church.
But before you can be married, you do need to go to City Hall and apply for a marriage license. You will both need to be present. Call City Hall to see what ID you will need to bring with you and how much the fee will be, as well as whether there are any other requirements (blood test, for instance).
Also, make sure you get your license in the county where you will be married. If it's not the same as the county as the one where you live, call the city where you will get the license to find out the requirements there.
Yes, the license must be used within a certain amount of time. It's usually good for either thirty or ninety days, depending on local laws, but may be used anywhere in the county within that time.
The license doesn't make you married. It gives you legal permission to marry. When you have the ceremony, it will need to be signed by both of you, the officient, and your official witnesses (ususally the best man and maid/matron of honor) and then mailed to the place where you got it from to prove that the marriage actually took place.
2007-08-12 09:40:42 · answer #2 · answered by gileswench 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just the opposite. The courthouse marriage is reognized by the State. Records of a church marriage must be sent to the courthouse to make it recognized by the State.
Those married in the courthouse don't have to, and seldom do get married in church.
But those married first in church must register in the courthouse to make the marriage legal.
2007-08-12 09:30:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need a marriage license even for a civil ceremony. Legally, there is no difference between a religious ceremony and a civil one. I would suggest that you pick a location both of you like. Getting married in a church could be difficult because neither of you has an affiliation with a church or a religion. You can choose whether to hire an agreeable religious official, or a local magistrate. Parks make great places to get married on a budget. There is usually a small fee, but it's often cheaper than other public places.
2016-03-16 22:04:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you get married and the courthouse you DO NOT have to get married in the church later. YOU ARE OFFICALLY MARRIED. The only real difference is the money, quite alot of difference actually. Good luck!
2007-08-12 09:25:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My brother in law is having two weddings because his first one was just done courthouse style. Everyone thinks it is tacky that he is doing this because they should have just waited and done it in the church one time. Either way you are legally married so the only difference is the fact that a church wedding involves God. Do what you want but remember that if you have two you can not expect people to come to both. If they come to the first one and celebrate you and your love then don't get upset if they do not come to the second one.
2007-08-12 10:20:08 · answer #6 · answered by MeShell 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No.. a courthouse marriage is legal permanently! For it not to be would be in violation of the Constitution. I was married for 10 years to a woman and we were married in the courthouse.. If the religious aspect is not important to you, then save the $$$! They would be better spend elsewhere.. like on your Honeymoon!
2007-08-12 09:26:59 · answer #7 · answered by aralissselundel 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I worked for a judge, so I saw many courthouse weddings. Many of the people who get married at the courthouse don't have a lot of money. They are usually dressed in nice, semi-formal clothes, and have between two and twenty guests.
2007-08-12 09:41:47 · answer #8 · answered by Tricia R 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All Marriage licenses are temporary. You have only so many days to have the cermony performed before you must renew the license. In my area it is 15 days and it doesn't matter whether the marriage is performed in the church or the court. They are both the same.
Some people of mixed religions perfer a civil marriage. Others perfer to do what God wants them to do. Is one right and the other wrong? Only you can answer that for yourself.
2007-08-12 09:39:33 · answer #9 · answered by mikeae 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You do not have to do both. If you get married in a Catholic wedding your fiance and you need to attend counseling classes and of course a mass will be conducted at the ceremony. It is purely a religious ceremony. You would in effect be marrying in the house of God. When you get married at the courthouse you only pay for a license and the judge and you get married, no questions asked, no counseling etc... It all boils down to what you and your future spouse want
2007-08-12 09:31:14 · answer #10 · answered by Beatrice C 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋