How to Get Married at the Courthouse
For most people getting married is the one of the most memorable days of their lives. The glitz and glamour of a fancy wedding is something that most women dream about as little girls. However, a spectacular wedding is not something that everyone wants or feels is necessary. Many people choose to have a simple wedding without all of the lavish expenses that come along with a traditional wedding. During the past decade, while many have chosen to have elaborate weddings some have chosen to simply get married at a courthouse to save time and money. As this is not a traditional route of marriage one might wonder as to how to get married at the courthouse.
The rules and regulations of getting married a your local courthouse may vary from state to state. Often the most useful first step in obtaining information on how to get married at the courthouse in your area can be acquired from your local courthouses website. If you do not have internet access then you may simply call or ask for the information in person at your local county courthouse.
Once you have contacted your local county courthouse and have obtained the information that is required for marriage in your area the next step would be to fill out a marriage license. Most courthouses now have websites that offer an online electronic application on their websites. If you do not have access to the internet the more traditional paper application can be obtained by simply visiting your local courthouse. The marriage application will require some basic information from you such as your name, age and social security number. If you have been married prior to this marriage then additional information about your former marriages will be required as well. The fees associated with your marriage license vary from state to state and will have to be along with the marriage application. In most states, you can have some of the fees waived if you agree to attend marriage counseling with a marriage counselor or a religious advisor.
After you complete the marriage application you will have a set amount of time in which you must get married otherwise the application will be void. In most states you will have thirty days to use your marriage license. Once you have submitted your marriage application you can immediately get married. Frequently, there is someone within the county clerks office that can perform the marriage for a nominal fee. The only people who need to be present at the time of the marriage are the bride and groom as well as the a witness and the minister or person performing the marriage. If you cannot provide a witness at the time of your marriage many times you can request that someone working within the county courthouse be a witness to your marriage. After the ceremony is performed you will be presented with your marriage certificate.
Getting married at your local county courthouse is a simple and easy process. It is a choice that many people are making. Rather than spending thousands of dollars on an extravagant wedding many people are opting to get married at the courthouse. You do not have to sacrifice you wedding day simply because you want to get married at the courthouse. You can still wear a wedding dress if you choose to do so. In addition, you can still have a reception afterwards as well. If you and your new spouse have only spent less than a hundred dollars on the whole ceremony then you will have more money to spend on your honeymoon or on building a life together. While getting married in a courthouse is not for everyone there are many who view it as a way to save money and time.
