A marriage license is a permit. It is a legal confirmation that couples are free to marry each other, are of legal age, and have met all of the local requirements for a legal marriage. The licensing requirements, and the locations where you may get them vary from state to state. Licenses are valid for a certain window of time, from ten days to six months, and there may be a short waiting period once you get the license.

Once you have located where you need to get your license, call to ask when you should ably, so that you are within the time frame that they are valid for, and so that you are aware of any waiting periods. In most states, you can walk in and apply, but some offices require an appointment. Both the bride and groom will need to be present. You will probably need to bring with you birth certificates, proof of residence, photo identification, parental consent if needed, and death certificates or divorce degrees. After the wedding, your officiate will send your signed license to the marriage license bureau and then you should receive a certified copy within a few weeks or months depending on your state.

If you are having a destination wedding, check with the resort you are going to. Some resorts will handle the paperwork for you, but in most cases, you will need to go to the local town hall and get a marriage license for yourselves. This should be one of the first things you should check on when you decide on your wedding destination.