Making It Legal

To make this whole thing called marriage legal you have to have a marriage license. It is what gives you the authorization to marry. And every state in the U.S. requires you get one. However, each state (sometimes each county) has its own requirements for what documents you need to bring to get your license (driver's license, birth certificate, passport), how much it costs, how much time you have after you get your license to marry or if physicals or premarital counseling in required. Both bride and groom must be present when applying for a marriage license.

Ayla and Rob are getting married in Florida. There the need to bring their birth certificate. license and social security card or passport. The cost is $93.50. If you take a state sanctioned marriage prep class, you get a discount of $32.50. The class basically a bit of counseling and information on what would happen financially should you divorce. If you do not take the prep class, you must wait three days to marriage. If you have take the class, there is no wait. The license is valid for 60 days.

Anton and Kayla are getting married in Alabama. Documents to bring include your birth certificate or driver's license and Social Security card. There is no waiting period after applying and the license is valid for 30 days. Cost is $43.35 for the marriage license.

Now this doesn't mean that after the license is signed that the ladies names have changed. You need to do that online at www.marriagenamechange.com. You can begin this process prior to the wedding to save time.

So there you go. All you need to make it legal. Just so you know, when you say "I do" you are officially married. The license is proof to the state (and country) that you are married for legal reasons. So don't forget to get one ... and for that matter, don't forget to sign it (and your witnesses)! It's not legal till it's signed. Then it needs sent to the country or state agency that records the marriage certificates. This is done typically by the officiant (and check each state's requirements for who can officiate at the wedding). And understand that requirements for states change all the time, so check your state's requirements close to the date of your weddings to be sure.

By the way, I got a watch for Daddy for our wedding. Engraved on the underside of the watch ... was our marriage license number. 

Discussion: Have you talked about when you will go to get your marriage license? Do you have all the documents you need to apply for your marriage?

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you that you will be present for the marriages of our children. We ask for your blessing when they apply for their licenses, that all will go smoothly, and for blessings on their wedding and marriage. In Jesus, Amen.