It takes a lot of time and efforts to prepare for a perfect civil wedding.  Wedding preparations take time and there are certain government regulations that couples need to comply before they can get married.  Both civil and church marriages have the same legal requisites.  Moreover, couples who belong to a congregation may need to comply with additional marriage requirements set by their church.

The marriage license is primary requirement for both civil marriage and church wedding.  To get a marriage license, both the bride and the groom must be single and of legal age.  The legal age vary from state to state.  Most states require that the couple be at around the age of 16-18 before they can marry.  Do states allow exceptions to the age requirement?   There are states that allow couples below the age of majority to get married provided that they have the legal consent of their parents or guardians.

To apply for marriage license, the couple should visit the office of the clerk or deputy clerk of court in their area.  When applying for license, the couple must fill up the application form provided for by the court and pay the required fees.  Some states require both the bride and the groom to personally appear at the office of the clerk or deputy clerk of court when applying for a license while some states accept online applications.  The marriage license application forms filled up and signed by the couple are considered as legal documents and forgery or falsification of these documents may lead to legal actions.  To verify information given by the couple, the clerk of court may ask for proof of age or proof of divorce.

After all legal requisites for licensing has been complied, with the clerk of court may now issue the marriage license.  As a general, the license is valid for the next 60 days.  During the validity of the license, that the couple can get married before any authorized person to solemnize marriage within the territory of the issuing state.

Who can solemnize a civil marriage?  Any person authorized by the court to solemnize matrimonial ceremonies can perform the rite.  However, for the civil marriage ceremony to be considered as valid and legally binding, it must be performed in front of witnesses.  Moreover, the couple, the witnesses and the solemnizing officer must sign the marriage register.  The said marriage register or contract will then be entered as official record of the state.