Wedding License 101

  Along with planning your amazing and unforgettable wedding plans, there are a few details that may slip through the cracks. One of those extremely important details is your wedding license! Of course, you are having the ceremony, declaring your love in front of everyone- but you still have to get married legally- on paper. That’s where the wedding license comes in. A wedding license is legal proof that you and your beloved are officially married to one another. At Saiaf Films, we know you have your plate full. So when it comes to all the special little details, we like to help out as much as we can. Here, we would like to share the basics of the wedding license process.

The specifics vary state to state, so it helps to start with some research.  Begin by looking up your state’s government website. Google simple phrases like “Arizona wedding license” or “California wedding requirements.” Each state should have a resource that breaks down the basics along with what materials or specific documents may be necessary to obtain your wedding website.

Make sure you pay attention to which city, district and county you plan to marry in. Laws can vary from city to city, so you may want to narrow your search if necessary. Then, you will want to track down whether the licenses are obtained from the town clerk’s office, city hall or a specific marriage license bureau. It some states, it’s as easy as downloading a marriage license brochure  that can be filled out and dropped off on your own time. In other states, the process may be more time consuming.

Speaking of time, it is super important to pay attention to the marriage license time requirements for your state. Some states may require a waiting period between granting the wedding license and when the ceremony takes place. Your state may be no waiting period, or it may be several days. Knowing ahead of time will save you from any time constraints that may happen.

Most states use wedding licenses for the same purpose. They are helpful in confirming that you have proper identification, that you are of legal age to wed and that you are not currently married to anyone else. Again, the requirements may vary depending on your city or state- but usually the necessities include: birth certificates, photo identification, your social security number, proof of citizenship, parental consent if you are under 18, proof of residence, divorce decree if applicable or death certificate if widowed.

As your special day draws closer, don’t forget to take care of the minor- but very important details- such as the wedding license. Especially if you are planning a destination wedding. In fact, feel free to check out our post on Top Destination Wedding Locations if you would like further information on the wedding requirements for these commonly visited locations!