How marriage license works?

Getting married is an exciting and important decision! Among the many questions that couples preparing for marriage may ask are, “Do I need a marriage license? How do I get one? How much does it cost?” Marriage licenses are used to legally prove a marriage, which has legal and financial implications for the couple involved.

Marriage licensing is typically a state requirement within the United States to receive some of the benefits of marriage for both parties involved. Usually, a marriage license is issued by the county that you live in. You may be required to visit the county clerk or similar office with your state-issued identification to request a license.

In some counties and states, a waiting period is required from the time a marriage license is issued until the time that you are permitted to be married. For example, this waiting period is 72 hours in Texas. There are some exceptions to the waiting period in some places, which may include waivers for people who are active-duty military members.

Marriage licenses come with a cost for their issuing and filing, which varies from location to location. In some states, a marriage license and marriage itself aren’t necessary for the legal benefits of marriage. Many states recognize what many people refer to as “common law marriage,” and people who live together as spouses may be considered married and benefit from laws that protect married people.

Benefits to a married couple include tax credits and deductions, the ability to be covered by your spouse’s insurance policy, and inheritance benefits. People don’t usually consider the potential for divorce at the start of a marriage, but having a marriage license and a marriage considered “official” by the state you live in also may help you and your spouse if one or both of you wants to end the marriage at some point, by protecting your rights to property you brought into the relationship and attained while in the relationship. Each of these depends largely on what state you live in, so it’s important to talk with the marriage licensing office, tax professionals, and state laws to find out about the implications and benefits of filing for a marriage license and getting married.

Find out about the requirements for a marriage license in your state, visit your state’s government website, or contact your county clerk’s office with your questions.