Do you have to have a ceremony to get your marriage license?

Question

Do you have to have a ceremony to get your marriage license?

Answer 1

You get a marriage license before the ceremony.  You get a certificate of marriage after you exchange vows

Answer 2

The license comes first, and no, if you and your intended don't want a wedding in the traditional sense there's always the justice of the peace or getting married privately by a minister/celebrant.

Answer 3

you get the license before the ceremony

Answer 4

the license allows you to get married--for you to be legally married. usually you get a 6-month span of time in which to have your ceremony before the license expires.

you CAN have your ceremony before you get your license but you'd need to get the license VERY soon afterwards...otherwise the state/county won't recognize your marriage. it's best to get it done ahead of time to reduce the risk of forgetting. there is plenty of paperwork to complete after the wedding...the last thing you want to worry about is that your marriage isn't legal.

Answer 5

One of our groomsmen never had a ceremony.  He and his wife got their marriage license and in the eyes of the state, they have been married for years now...

Answer 6

you need the license before you do anything.