Rhiannon Hendricks
Planning a wedding is an exciting but often stressful time. There are many things to consider, from the guest list and seating chart to the legal requirements of marriage. It's important to be aware of the documents you'll need to ensure your union is legally sound. The two main documents to pay attention to are the marriage license and the marriage certificate. Depending on where you live, you may need to fill out a government-provided form to obtain a marriage license, which is valid for 30-90 days. After your marriage is registered, you can apply for your marriage certificate, which is an official certified copy of the registration data held by the government. This document proves that you and your partner are married and is required by some organisations, such as motor vehicle departments, to notify them of your name change.
Documents needed on a wedding day
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | To be signed by the wedding officiant and two witnesses |
| Marriage certificate | Certified copies needed for a name change |
| Emergency kit | Pain reliever, stain remover, safety pins, needle and thread, bandages, hairspray, deodorant, tissues, floss, mints |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage license
The marriage license is one of the most important pieces of legal paperwork you'll need for your wedding. It is one of the two main documents you need to pay attention to, the other being the marriage certificate.
To obtain a marriage license, you will need to fill out a government-provided form. The requirements for obtaining your license vary, but it is generally a simple process. You will need to provide a combination of documents, which may include a birth certificate, for example. Marriage licenses are typically valid for 30 to 90 days, so be sure to check this ahead of time for your location. If you are having a destination wedding, it is common to have a legally binding ceremony in your home country first.
The marriage license needs to be signed by the wedding officiant and two witnesses who attended the wedding, in addition to the bride and groom. The license will be in your hands from the time you leave the county clerk's office and through the wedding. After the wedding, you will return the signed license to the county clerk, either in person or by mail.
Once your marriage license has been returned, you can apply for your marriage certificate. This is usually done online and will vary by state and country. There is usually a small cost associated with this, typically between $35 and $150.
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Marriage certificate
The marriage certificate is an official document that proves you and your partner are married. It is issued by the government and is a certified copy of the registration data they hold. To obtain a marriage certificate, your marriage must first be registered by a celebrant within 14 days of the ceremony. After your marriage has been registered, you can apply for your certificate, usually online, and it will be posted to you. There is usually a small cost associated with obtaining a marriage certificate, typically between $35 and $150, depending on the location.
You will need a marriage certificate to change your name, although it is important to note that changing your name after marriage is not a legal requirement. A marriage certificate may also be required by certain organisations, such as motor vehicle departments, as proof of your marriage. Therefore, it is advisable to obtain several copies of your marriage certificate to quickly and conveniently notify organisations of your name change.
To obtain a marriage certificate, you must first have a marriage license. A marriage license is usually obtained by lodging a government-provided form, and it must be signed by the wedding officiant and two witnesses who attended the wedding. Marriage licenses are only valid for a certain period, typically between 30 and 90 days, so it is important to check this ahead of time. Once you have obtained the necessary signatures on your marriage license, you will need to return it to the relevant authority, either in person or by mail.
In summary, while a marriage license is an important document that you will need to obtain before your wedding, a marriage certificate is what you will receive after your wedding to certify that you are officially married.
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Name change
Changing your name after marriage is not a legal requirement and is completely optional. However, if you do decide to change your name, you can do so at your leisure, and it is a relatively straightforward process.
Firstly, you will need a marriage certificate. This is an official certified copy of the registration data held by the government. After your marriage has been registered by the celebrant, you can apply for your certificate, usually done online. There is usually a small cost associated with this, typically under $50. It is advisable to obtain several marriage certificates, as some organisations may require sight of an original certificate.
Once you have your marriage certificate, you can send it, along with a letter explaining your wish to change your name, to all departments that need to update their records. This will be accepted by all government bodies and organisations as a legal entitlement to a name change.
There are a few different options to consider when changing your name. You could opt for a combination of both your names, for example, by taking a new last name and changing your middle name to your maiden name. Alternatively, you could choose a completely new last name that suits you both. This option may be more expensive and require a court order.
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Certified copies
To obtain a marriage certificate, your marriage must first be registered by the celebrant within 14 days of the ceremony. After your marriage has been registered, you can apply for your certificate, usually done online, and it will be posted to you. There is usually a cost associated with this, typically ranging from $35 to $150, depending on the state or country. Some counties may also charge a small fee for certified copies of the marriage certificate.
It is important to note that marriage certificates are not always required to change your name. In some places, sending a letter explaining your name change request along with your marriage certificate may be sufficient. However, some official authorities, such as motor vehicle departments, may require sight of an original marriage certificate. Therefore, it is advisable to obtain several certified copies of your marriage certificate to facilitate a quick and convenient name change process.
To summarise, while not mandatory, having certified copies of your marriage certificate on your wedding day can be beneficial, especially if you plan to change your name shortly after the wedding. These copies can be obtained by applying online and paying a small fee, which varies depending on your location.
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Validity and signatures
The marriage license and marriage certificate are the two main documents that require your attention. The marriage license is one of the most important pieces of legal paperwork you'll need. The requirements for obtaining a license vary, but it usually involves submitting a government-provided form. In most cases, you will need a license to make your marriage formally recognised. Marriage licenses are typically valid for 30 to 90 days, so be sure to check the validity period for your location.
To obtain a marriage certificate, your marriage must first be registered by the celebrant within 14 days of the ceremony. After your marriage has been registered, you can apply for your certificate, usually done online, and it will be sent to you. The marriage certificate is an official certified copy of the registration data held by the government. It serves as proof that you and your partner are married.
In addition to the signatures of the bride and groom, the marriage license needs to be signed by the wedding officiant and two witnesses who attended the wedding. Once you have obtained the proper signatures, you will return the license to the county clerk. The marriage certificate is then issued after the bride and groom sign the marriage license.
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Frequently asked questions
The two main documents you need to pay attention to are the marriage license and the marriage certificate. The marriage license needs to be signed by the wedding officiant and two witnesses who attended the wedding. After the wedding, you will return your license to the county clerk. The marriage certificate is issued after the bride and groom sign the marriage license. You will need this document to change your name.
Marriage licenses are only valid for 30-90 days, so make sure you look this up ahead of time. If you are having a religious ceremony, you might not need one if you have opted for publishing church banns, but in most cases, you will need a license for your marriage to be formally recognized.
It is advisable to obtain several marriage certificates on the wedding day so that organizations can be notified of your name change quickly. You will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate to change your name on documents like your Social Security Card.
It is a good idea to prepare an emergency kit for your wedding day. This should include items like a pain reliever, stain remover, safety pins, a needle and thread, bandages, hairspray, deodorant, tissues, floss, and mints.
