I'm considering getting married out of state at a courthouse. Can anyone tell me what all I need to do?

Question

We're planning to go on vacation with MOH and BM and have a fun trip together. We're still going to do the big family ceremony later in the year but want a smaller more intimate "legal" ceremony. I'm just not sure who all to call and how to set it up. I know there is a 3 day waiting period and that's about all I know so far. Help? Suggestions?

Answer 1

Hi and congratulations!

First of all.....where are you going on vacation?  You do NOT have to go to a courthouse in another city to have a legal marriage.  If it was me, I would get married at your vacation destination.  

Are you going to a beach location?  A skiing trip?  A national park?  There are endless places to get married in the country.  So....once you decide where your trip will be, then Google "weddings in [city]" and see what you can come up with.

For instance, if it is a beach vacation, there are many companies that specialize in this throughout Florida and the rest of the south.  They will provide an officiant, flowers, photographer, etc.  Same if you are going to Hawaii.  There are soooo many options other than the courthouse, which would be much more "intimate" than a courthouse.

If you want a courthouse wedding in another state, then simply use Google and type in "marriage license laws in [state]" and you will see what the license requirements are.  Many states have a waiting period and many do not.  

Good luck in your search!

Answer 2

Best wishes Lea,

       Call the Courthouse in the City you will be visiting. Inquire about how you might get married by a Judge.

         Otherwise use a telephone directory and look-up "wedding chapels". Ask them what they need or want to perform a ceremony.

         Best Wishes

Answer 3

Pick a place you want to go to and google "getting married in _____" and "marriage requirements (Place you are going to)"

Then you can check out wedding packages in that place in google too....

Have fun!

Ex.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mar...

http://marriage.about.com/cs/marriagelic...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=get...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=wed...

Answer 4

You need to call the county where you'll be vacationing; they'll give you the details.  Every state requires different things.

You will need to make an appointment with the presiding judge.

Just to show you,  here in Ohio if you live here you get the license in that county.  If you don't live here, you get it in the county where you'll wed.  There is no waiting to get your license, don't have to wait to marry after you get your license & you don't need witnesses.

In  KY you can get your license in any county & marry anywhere in the state even if you don't live there.  You get the license immediately, but you need 2 witnesses.

You know, since you're on vacation you might want to see if you can find an officiant to do an elopement ceremony someplace fun.

Type into your search engine this--the

city state wedding officiant

There will be ones in your area to come up. If you go to the bridal sites, visit the officiant's web site. Those bridal sites (wedplan, knot,) make vendors & officiants pay for your contact info & some just can't/won't do it.

Also you can contact AAWO--they have ALL kinds of officiants from Rabbis to Humanisits to Pagan Priestesses.

I am a nondenominational minister therefore I am free to perform non-religious ceremonies as I'm not bound by any particular creed or dogma.

Answer 5

Depends on the state.