My friend recently got married after she found out she was expecting their first child! Her now husband is filthy rich, its been 9 months after the couple big church wedding! and I cant seem to find their state marriage licenses on file! She would never admit to me! but is it possible to have a church wedding ceremony infront of a priest, and never file for a marriage licenses in the state??? I guess they are married infront of God, not infront of the Government! they are married, but maybe not legally???. . . Maybe it was his way of having a wife in the public eye, but keeping his money!
2007-09-05 01:36:59 · 9 answers · asked by Tam 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
Um... why were you hunting for their marriage license on file anyway? That's kind of weird. Just talk to your friend. If the marriage license hasn't been filed, she probably needs to know. However, if I were the bride, I'd wonder what in the world my friend was doing looking up my license in the first place.
I sincerely doubt that any priest would marry a couple without them having a marriage license. He could get in serious trouble for that.
2007-09-05 01:46:32 · answer #1 · answered by greeneyes_bjb 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. If nothing else, you can count on the state to want their part of the money. I suppose the laws could vary state to state but where I am from a preacher will not or cannot marry you with out the proper license. She may want to try checking with the preacher that preformed the ceremony. He may have a copy of the license in a file or something.
To find out for sure go to the city website where they were married and check under clerk of courts. You should be able to find the exact and detailed marriage laws for your state.
Not only that but, if her 'husband' did try something tricky on her she may still have rights to his money if she decided to leave. I don't think any judge would look too kindly on that kind of deciet, especially if she was pregnant at the time.
2007-09-05 01:50:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure about all states, but I know that in FL, if you don't file for a marriage license, its not legal. And it is possible to convince a Priest to conduct the ceremony without showing proof of the license. Usually because they are being paid to perform the ceremony. So yes, it's possible, but not legal.
2007-09-05 02:18:58 · answer #3 · answered by sweetie_33707 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very interesting question. I have never thought about it. Now that I have, I can't see it happening as the license is signed by the official performing the matrimony. (I think) I really can't remember as its been a number of years since I got married to my wife. Another thing to consider is that not everything is available on line soon after it happens. Some times things will take months to become available on line, yet are readily available at the recorders office.
2007-09-05 01:47:40 · answer #4 · answered by pappysgotitgoinon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heck yeah it's possible to get married in a church without filing, but should he die.... she won't see his life insurance since being married at a church is only symbolic in the governments eyes it has no meaning at all unless there is a license.
Also if she tries to put in her taxes she is married, she could face problems with the IRS in the near future.
But.... the truth is more then likely it was filed but the state messed up. since the state I am in has lost my paperwork I had filed with the courts 2 times when I went it.... so it's probably the state office's staff incompetence.
2007-09-05 01:53:04 · answer #5 · answered by demirall 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suppose its possible (its not illegal for a pastor to perform a ceremony without a license), but I don’t know a pastor who would agree to do such a thing, and if he did, the marriage would not be legal.
Personally, I find it very odd that you even questioned it and felt the need to 'verify' it. What's up with that?
2007-09-05 01:46:27 · answer #6 · answered by kp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything is possible, but most priests, pastors, or clergy in general, wouldn't perform a wedding unless it was spiritually and legally binding. I'm just curious why you feel the need to check up on your friend. It has nothing to do with you.
2007-09-05 01:50:58 · answer #7 · answered by ♦justme♦ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, the person who performs the ceremony HAS to have the license to perform the ceremony. It could be that he just hasn't turned it in to the state, or that it just takes time to process. I'd have her start by calling the person who married them and ask why you can't find it on file.
2007-09-05 01:43:45 · answer #8 · answered by Roland'sMommy 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no you must have a marriage license if they dont then that priest is in trouble and they are not legally married .
2007-09-05 01:45:35 · answer #9 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋