Marriage licenses and certificates officially document a couple’s decision to marry one another. Along the way, having questions about these pieces of paper makes sense—something many wonder involves whether or not marriage licenses and certificates expire.
Vital Records Online has the answers to your questions. You’ll find out if marriage licenses expire. We’ll also answer the question, “Do marriage certificates expire?”
What Is a Marriage License?
A marriage license is a legal document. It gives a couple the legal right to marry. Think of it as being similar to a driver’s permit. While this permit isn’t a driver’s license, it entitles someone to drive legally under certain conditions.
After two adults complete the paperwork as required by their local government’s county office and pay the applicable expenses, they can obtain a marriage license. Before getting your marriage certificate, you may also consider this license as a pre-marriage requirement.
However, a marriage license isn’t the only requirement a couple needs for their union to become official. These individuals will also need someone with the proper authority to officiate your wedding. Additionally, certain localities require two adults to complete a waiting period before their license becomes valid. So, check the rules for where you get married.
It’s critical to remember that marriage licenses are time-sensitive documents. Rushing to marry or waiting too long can hinder your progress toward becoming an officially married person.
Does a Marriage License Expire?
Yes. It varies when a license is no longer valid based on where you live. Generally, most counties give recipients 30 to 90 days before this document expires. Check your local county’s guidelines to ensure you don’t accidentally let your marriage license expire.
What happens if a marriage license expires? If a couple doesn’t marry before their license expires, they must reapply for this document. That can mean delaying your wedding ceremony. In most cases, you must also repay all license-related expenses. Because some states provide special considerations to military members and other protected citizens, double-check your country’s requirements before reapplying for a marriage license.
Planning is vital to avoiding bothersome issues stemming from a marriage license that expires. A bit of smart scheduling can save you considerable future marriage planning-related headaches.
If you wish to have a destination wedding, which means tying the knot in a location away from where you live, knowing wedding license expiration laws in this new location is vital. Specific locales have different requirements for non-residents wanting to marry.
What Is a Marriage Certificate?
Marriage certificates document and provide proof that a wedding took place. Because of that, a couple may only receive a marriage certificate after their wedding ceremony concludes. This document requires signatures from those who intend to marry. The officiant of this ceremony must also sign and submit the certificate after it’s complete.
A marriage certificate is vital. It can serve as proof for the majority of someone’s post-marriage name change-related tasks. This certificate can also help ensure someone completes their taxes correctly under the correct name.
Presenting a marriage certificate can also be a requirement for:
- Applying for a mortgage
- Claiming insurance benefits
- Legally changing your name
- Seeking a joint loan
Additionally, marriage certificates are sometimes necessary for someone to enroll for their spouse’s insurance-related benefits. A couple may also need this document to prove their marital status for immigration-related purposes. It plays a vital role in many financial and legal-related processes.
Do Marriage Certificates Expire?
Marriage licenses expire. However, marriage certificates don’t. That means not worrying about renewing this piece of paper. While you shouldn’t worry about renewing a marriage certificate, life-related changes may require updating related documents.
A problem that may arise is losing your marriage certificate or accidentally damaging it. If either happens, presenting a pristine certificate becomes an impossibility. Fortunately, certified copies of your vital records exist.
Understandably, couples who want to renew their vows may ask themselves, “Do marriage certificates expire?” A married couple’s marriage certificate won’t expire even when renewing their vows.
A marriage certificate also won’t expire when one or both parties married to another move to a new county or state. Things can change if moving internationally. Because of that, checking your new country of residence’s requirements for recognizing weddings is worth researching.
Do You Need Certified Marriage Certificates?
Understanding the differences between marriage licenses and certificates is vital for couples preparing for their big day. Do marriage licenses expire? Yes. These documents typically expire after 30 to 90 days. However, marriage certificates don’t expire no matter how much time passes.
Staying organized and informed is always helpful when seeking out marriage-related paperwork. If you encounter problems, consider contacting your local county’s vital records office.
For an easy way to obtain a marriage certificate, choose Vital Records Online. We help our customers track down and receive marriage certificates and similar documents quickly and easily.