When it comes to getting married, there are a lot of things that need to be taken into account. One of the most important things is ensuring that you’re following all of your local laws when it comes to filing for a marriage license and registering for a marriage certificate. This can save you a lot of headache down the road if something goes wrong with your marriage or if you decide to change your name down the line.
The first thing you need to do is make sure you have all of the required documents for your state’s marriage registration process. This varies from state to state, but usually requires a couple of forms filled out by both the bride and groom, along with copies of their identification. You’ll also need to know the deadline for submitting your application and ensure that you submit it within this time frame.
Many states require that you provide information about any previous marriages that either of you have been in. This will typically include the date of each marriage, as well as the divorce or annulment decree or the death certificate of your former spouse if applicable. You may also need to provide a list of any children you have from your previous marriages.
Another consideration is whether or not you have to get a premarital physical exam in order to be able to apply for a marriage license. In some cases, you’ll need to do this if your state doesn’t allow same-sex marriages or if you have a religious ceremony such as a church wedding or a Muslim Nikkah Nama.
Depending on your situation, it may be possible for you and your spouse to complete the entire registration process online. While this isn’t an option in every state, it can save you a great deal of time and effort by eliminating the need to travel to a specific office. You’ll need to register for an online account with your county clerk’s office, and most of the time this will cost you a small fee.
When you’ve registered your marriage learn more here, you can then order your official marriage certificate. Once you receive it, you’ll need to keep it safe and file it with any necessary government agencies. The marriage certificate will serve as proof of your new relationship for any purposes, such as taxes, insurance, banking, mortgage applications, or a name change.
If you want to use your married name with the US government, then you’ll need to have an apostille stamp added to your marriage certificate. This can be done the same day that you pick up your marriage certificate at the Registrar’s office, and will cost you a small fee for the service.
You can find more information about how to go about getting your marriage certificate, as well as other information about changing your name and other forms of identification, on the website for the New York City Department of Vital Records.