Before a couple can be married in
the United States they must obtain a marriage
license from their local jurisdiction. The
license grants permission for the couple to enter
into a legal marriage. Although the standards
of
marriage are
universal throughout the U.S., states have different
requirements for obtaining the marriage license.
Marriage without a license is
possible either through common law marriage, where
permitted, or by obtaining a state pardon for
entering into marriage without a license.
Common law marriage can automatically befall couples
in some states states.
After the marriage license has
been issued and the marriage ceremony performed, the
license is signed by both parties to the marriage
and the official performing the marriage and
returned to the state which then issues a marriage
certificate acknowledging the marriage.
Below are the requirements each
state needs before a marriage license can be issued.
State
Required age
Cost
of license
Waiting
period between
applying & receiving license
• Gay Couples Marry This Week In The District Afro American
ABC NewsGay Couples Marry This Week in the DistrictAfro AmericanDarlene Garner, left, has a joyful tear wiped from her face by her partner, Candy Holmes, of Washington, after the couple obtained their marriage license DC marriage law in effect, weddings begin March 9Windy City TimesSame sex wedding bells toll around Washington, DCLos Angeles TimesSame Sex Couples Wed in Washingtion, DCVoice of AmericaAOL News On Top Magazine Ms. Magazineall 892 news articles raquo
• Young Iranians Get Marriage License Press TV
Young Iranians get marriage licensePress TVquotInformed marriage decision making is what the program aims to reach. It does not seek to redefine marriage,quot he said. quotThe certificates presented to and more raquo
• Gay Marriage In The District Washington Post
Washington PostGay marriage in the DistrictWashington PostMy future husband and I pick up our marriage license tomorrow and we plan on being wed at the Courthouse on the 19th of March. We wanted to take more time and more raquo
• Higher Fees Sought To Pay For Aiding Poor Baltimore Sun
Baltimore SunHigher fees sought to pay for aiding poorBaltimore Sun a spokeswoman for House of Ruth, a well known domestic violence program that would benefit from the Baltimore marriage license fee increase. and more raquo
• 150 Samesex Couples Seek Marriage Licenses In DC The Associated Press
CBS News150 same sex couples seek marriage licenses in DCThe Associated PressBecause of a processing period of three business days for all marriage license applicants, the couples won39t be able to marry until Tuesday. DC same sex marriage law takes effectWashington PostGay couples line up for marriage licenses in US capitalInquirer.netPhoto Essay: Gay Couples Claim Marriage Licenses At DC CourtThe BLT: Blog of Legal TimesExaminer.com Washington Times WTOPall 1,455 news articles raquo
IMPORTANT
NOTICE:
This webpage is
Copyrighted content. No portion of this page may be copied
to any other webpage, forum, blog or other domain page or
offline publication without written permission from
FactsOfLaw.com. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The information provided by FactsOfLaw.com does not
constitute legal advice or any other type of advice and is
provided for educational purposes only without warranty of any
kind. FactsOfLaw.com has not reviewed the information on this
page for accuracy and is not responsible for any errors,
omissions or inaccuracies. For legal advice you should
consult a licensed attorney.
