Getting a Marriage License Before Your Wedding Day

Brooke and I have been thinking about getting a marriage license prior to our wedding ceremony. Since our wedding is still over a year away, we are considering the benefits of taking the initiative now, getting legally tied, and being recognized by the state as a married couple sooner rather than later. Why would you want to consider this? We have a few thoughts.

The Benefits of Getting Your Marriage License Before Your Wedding

If you are like us and have a wedding that is still over a year away, you might find it compelling to sign the marriage license prior to the actual wedding. Each couple has a different situation and for some, it might not benefit them a whole lot to do this early, but if you have some of our concerns, you might want to know how to begin the process.

Health And Wellness-Do You Have Medical Insurance?

Currently, I do not have medical coverage besides emergency medical with a very high deductible. This has meant that for quite a while now, I have not been able to go to the doctor unless I am able or willing to pay out of pocket. No dentist, no optometrist, no yearly check-up.

These things are important and feeling held back from going because of the sheer painful cost of preventative treatment isn’t a good feeling.

Now Brooke, on the other hand, does have medical insurance through her job and it is good insurance that with some extra charge each month, we could both have the opportunity to get our medical check-ups done.

Also, it just really provides some peace of mind knowing that you have insurance in case of situations that require you to go see the doctor.

Also, on the topic of health, your mental health is important too and having medical insurance could enable you to schedule low cost therapy appointments to help get your mind back on track when you need some extra help in that area.

Marriage Rights

Brooke and I are two women. Although it would be nice to think that we will still have the right to marry a year or so into the future still, it can be a relief to have signed the papers early so that we just don’t have to worry about it.

If you too are in a same sex couple, this is something to consider, especially depending on which state you are in and the current political sentiment towards same-sex union. It is just a good thing to look into and judge for yourself if signing the papers now would be wise.

Getting The Marriage License Early Isn’t Everyone’s Best Move

Even though there are a few very good reasons why you might be considering going to the courthouse and getting your marriage license worked out, some people really don’t like that idea and that’s okay too!

If you don’t have to worry about medical insurance or your legal right to get married, then there really aren’t too many other reasons to hardcore consider this option. Perhaps you’ve done some math and you realize you could get some decent tax breaks as a married couple and you want to get married early for that reason. That’s totally valid too. Maybe that isn’t something that would serve you both well and you think you can wait, great!

Why you Might Not Want to get your Marriage License Early

Some people don’t like the idea of getting this sorted out early. For instance, perhaps you really would like to uphold the tradition of signing the papers at your actual wedding and having pictures of the signing while you are in your dress.

Perhaps you also don’t want people to know that you’ve married early. If you live in the same county as certain family members, you might want to think about any questions you might have to address or conversations you might have to have regarding a “secret” marriage.

I didn’t think that people actually read the part of the newspaper still that contains who from the county just got married, but apparently, people do! So just keep that in mind that word could potentially get around that you are a newlywed and could potentially bring on some confusion from those who thought the wedding was happening many months from now.

How to Get Your Marriage Application

Full disclosure, this can vary a little from state to state, but basically, the process seems to go like this in many cases:

Step 1: Go to the courthouse of the county that you are living in or, if you are from out of state, the county in which you will be having the ceremony in.

Step 2: Fill out the application at the courthouse if an online application was not provided. Have the office confirm the information with you.

You will need information such as an address, name, age, place of birth, occupation, parent #1’s name, parent #2’s name, and some other basic info. If you were previously married, you will need to provide proof that you are no longer maritally bound with the other person. For example, you might need to provide proof of a divorce.

Minors who are getting married, although probably very rare these days, will need to jump through an extra hurdle to make their marriage license valid.

Step 3: The clerk at the courthouse will then provide you with some forms that will be used for the ceremony, aka the part where the officiant, whomever you choose, will fill out, sign, and send back the forms to the courthouse for final approval of the marriage.

In order to make sure you are prepared and have the proper knowledge to go about getting your marriage license, go to google and type in the county you are going to be needing the license from followed my “marriage license.” You will then be directed to the site that will go into the specifics for that county.

Each state may vary a little in its requirements as I mentioned before. Some might require a certain amount of witness signatures during the ceremony, so make sure to check that or ask the clerk at the courthouse when you submit the initial application. Also, just a side note, you will likely be required to go with your partner to the courthouse. It can’t be treated like just an everyday errand even though it might not feel super romantic to submit an application. Either way, check the county site and get the knowledge of the requirements that you both will need to know.

One last side note! Whether you choose to get married ASAP or wait until your wedding day, know that there can be a time limit on the time you get the officiant papers to when the actual ceremony with the officiant needs to be performed. Depending on your state, there might be a waiting period to get your officiant papers as well, so make sure you are giving yourself proper time so you have the documents ready on the day of your ceremony.

In Ohio

There are currently no required witnesses, no waiting period, a 60 day expiration (the ceremony needs to take place within 60 days from when you file for your marriage license, and there is a 30 day return period for the officiant to send in the paperwork after the ceremony.