Question about getting married in a state you don't live in?

Question

Ok here is my story, My fiancee and I are trying to put together a small, very simple wedding. We were planning on doing something in the next couple of months, We live in Rhode Island (where I am from) but he is from Texas and can't get his mother and sister here for it. So as much as I would like to have my friends and family there for it they can see us anytime they want, so I was kinda thinking about moving the wedding to Texas, and maybe just bringing my mother with us. That way his friends and family that we don't see very often can be there..... So my question is other than how difficult it will be to plan, are there any complications with getting married in a state you don't live in? Any legality's I should know about? Thanks in advance. Lindsey

Answer 1

why not have two receptions one in RI and one in TX! Also you have to bring yor birth cerificate and license to the town in the state you are getting married! They will give you a marriage license but remember it expires in 60 days so you must do it closer to your wedding day! Congrats!

Answer 2

If your wedding is simple and doesn't require a lot of hands-on planning, there shouldn't be any complications. You need to apply for the marriage license in Texas, not in Rhode Island, that's all.

Answer 3

Just remember to apply for the license in the state you live in, in Tx, the license has is good for 30 days after you apply for it, and you have to wait 3 days after you get it to get married. The state you live in will honor your marriage, otherwise, married people could never move after they were married, or have to get remarried in each state! It will probably be a little harder, since you don't live there, to plan your wedding, but enlist his family and friends to help you. You may consider taking a few weeks to go there and get all of the location planning and picking your cater and cake maker and other service people out of the way, and then you can keep in touch with them from RI. Best wishes!

Answer 4

It will be a little harder to plan, so you may consider hiring a planner.



As for the legalities, you just have to find out how long the waiting period is for the license and how long it is good for. You would apply in the state where you want to get married.



I live in Ohio and was married in PA. We had to go to PA a week in advance so we could apply for the license, wait three days, then pick it up. It was good for, I think 90 days. But every state is different. Contact the local courthouse where you want to get married and find out their fees, what you need, if there is a waiting period, etc.

Answer 5

All you have to do is check what the requirements are for getting married in TX. Since you're already a US citizen, it shouldn't be any big deal. Just remember, laws do vary from state to state, so make sure you give yourself enough time to follow any waiting requirements, etc.

Answer 6

people do it all the time - get the license there when you arrive. Check on the internet & call the courthouse to see what the legalities are first - any waiting period, blood test, etc. Good luck!

Answer 7

It's not complicated, just as you would in your hometown, but you need to file for the marriage license in Texas.

Answer 8

Here's what you need to know and what documents to bring with you before you apply for a Texas marriage license. Get this legal aspect of your wedding out of the way about a month before your wedding date.



Requirements may vary as each county in Texas could have their own requirements.



ID Requirement:

In Texas, you will need one valid form of id such as drivers license, certified copy of your birth certificate, U. S. passport, military ID card, and your Social Security number.



Residency Requirement:

Neither one of you have to be a resident of Texas. Texas is a great locale for a destination wedding!



Pre-marital Education:

In Texas, couples are encouraged to attend a premarital education course that is at least four hours duration. It must be finished during the year preceding applying for a marriage license. Contact the county clerk for a roster of area course providers.



Previous Marriage:

If divorced within thirty days, Texas requires that you show a certified copy of your divorce decree stating the 30 day waiting period is waived.



Waiting Period in Texas:

The 72 hours (3 days) waiting period in Texas can be waived for active duty military personnel.



Fees and Other Tests:

$31 - $41 cash, so don't leave home without it! The fees may vary from Texas county to county. Blood tests or medical examinations are not required in Texas.



NOTE: Effective September 2008, the license fee will be waived if a couple takes an 8-hour premarital preparation course that covers important marital skills and issues such as conflict management and communication.



Common Law Marriage or Informal Marriage:

Yes. Texas also refers to common law marriage as an informal marriage.

For a marriage to be declared an informal marriage in Texas, a couple has two options.



1. Sign a declaration of their marriage under oath. The form is available at County Clerk's office.

The Declaration and Registration of Informal Marriage asks for full names, woman's maiden surname, addresses, dates of birth, places of birth, social security numbers, and relationship information.





The Declaration states: "I solemnly swear (or affirm) that we, the undersigned, are married to each other by virtue of the following facts: On or about (Date) we agreed to be married, and after that date we lived together as husband and wife and in this state we represented to others that we were married. Since the date of marriage to the other party I have not been married to any other person. This declaration is true and the information in it which I have given is correct."



2. Live together as husband and wife in Texas

Represent to others that they are married.

Agree with one another that they are married.

Individuals under the age of 18 may not enter into an informal marriage.



Child Support Statement:

A child support statement is generally included on the marriage license application and states, "I AM NOT PRESENTLY DELINQUENT IN THE PAYMENT OF COURT-ORDERED CHILD SUPPORT. TRUE FALSE." This has been the law in Texas since September, 1995.



Under 18:

If you are between 14 and 17 years old, you may apply for a marriage license in Texas only if you have written parental consent on an official form in the presence of the county clerk or if you have received an order from the Texas district court authorizing your marriage.



Renewal of Vows or Secret Marriage Remarriage:

According to the Texas state laws, a county clerk must issue a marriage license to a couple who is already married to each other.



Proxy Marriages:

Yes. In Texas, any adult person can apply on behalf of an applicant who is unable to appear personally before the county clerk. An affidavit of absence form must be provided. If you are incarcerated and are unable to be present for your wedding ceremony, you can also request a Prison Proxy form.



Officiants:

Persons authorized to perform weddings in Texas include licensed or ordained Christian ministers, priests, Jewish rabbis, officers authorized by religious organizations, justices of the supreme court, judges of the court of criminal appeals, justices of the courts of appeals, judges of the district, county, and probate courts, judges of the county courts at law, judges of the courts of domestic relations, judges of the juvenile courts, retired justices or judges, justices of the peace, retired justices of the peace, and judges or magistrates of a federal court of Texas.



Miscellaneous:

The license is valid in Texas for 30 days.



Copy of Certificate of Marriage:

Bureau of Vital Statistics

Texas Department of Health

P.O. Box 12040

Austin, TX 78711-2040

Phone - [phone]