Can You Use A Marriage License From Another State?

Marriage licenses are generally only valid in the state where they are issued, and marriage laws vary between states. Couples can apply for a marriage registration at any department of the State Registration of Civil Status Acts, regardless of their place of residence or stay. The officiant submits the signed marriage license to be certified by local officials. Most states allow the marriage of second cousins under the State Laws on Marriage, with twenty states and the District of Columbia allowing first-cousins to marry.

A marriage license requires proof of current photo identification, proof of citizenship and/or residence, a birth certificate, proof of parental consent and/or court consent if underage, a death certificate if widowed, or divorce decree if previously married. A certified copy of the marriage certificate can be purchased for $5 from either the county clerk that issued and registered the marriage license or the Illinois Department of Public Health.

For marriages in other states or countries, couples must wait three days to use the license and order a certified copy after returning the completed marriage license for recording to the issuing county auditors office or the WA Vital Records Office. In the U.S., a marriage license issued in one state only authorizes parties to get married within that state. A marriage ceremony in one state based only on a marriage license issued by some other state does not result in a legally valid marriage.

In summary, marriage licenses are generally only valid in the state where they are issued, and couples can apply for them in as many states as they want. However, marriages legally entered into in another state or abroad will likely be considered valid under Texas law unless explicitly void by the state.

Can I get married in California if I live in another state?

You don’t have to live in California to get married there. To marry in California, the two people cannot already be married to each other or anyone else. You can’t get married by proxy in California. The Family Code says that two people getting married must be together in the same place.

California Family Code 420(b) allows a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is stationed overseas and serving in a conflict or war to enter into a marriage by the appearance of an attorney-in-fact. Applicants must use the POA form from the State Registrars Office, available here. POA form (PDF).

Can I get married in Florida if I live in Texas?

Out-of-state residents and US citizens: You can also get your Florida marriage license from any clerk of court in Florida. The bride and groom must have photo ID.

Do I need to register my marriage in Florida if I get married abroad?

The U.S. doesn’t have a national marriage registry. U.S. states recognize marriages from other states and countries. If you got married legally in the country or state where you did, your marriage is recognized in the United States. The only exception is for naturalization. Learn more about marriage for immigration here. If you are getting married abroad, the U.S. State Department website has helpful information.

Do I need to register my marriage in the US if I get married abroad?

The U.S. doesn’t have a national marriage registry. U.S. states recognize marriages from other states and countries. If you got married legally in the country or state where you did, your marriage is recognized in the United States. The only exception is for naturalization. Learn more about marriage for immigration here. If you are getting married abroad, the U.S. State Department website has helpful information.

Can I use my Texas marriage license to get married in another state?

A Texas marriage license can be used in other states. Contact your out-of-state officiant before applying for a Texas marriage license.

Can I get married in Vegas if I live in another state?

Marriages in Las Vegas are legally binding in the U.S. and most other countries. Each state and country has its own laws. In Nevada, both parties must show IDs to get a marriage license. The couple must say they will marry each other in front of a marriage official, judge, or justice of the peace, and a witness. The officiant must file the marriage certificate with the county clerk within 10 days. You can get a certified copy of the certificate to prove you are married. Some officiants will file the certificate right away, so you can get a certified copy before you leave Las Vegas. Ask about this service if you need your certificate right away. Order on the Vegas Weddings website.

Couples who don’t want a legal ceremony can have a commitment or vow renewal ceremony. In these ceremonies, a couple promises to be together without getting married. No license is needed, but the Marriage License Bureau offers a Vow Renewal Certificate. If you take part in a commitment ceremony or vow renewal, you may be asked to sign a waiver saying that the ceremony is not legally binding.

Can I get married in NY if I don’t live there?

You can get a marriage license from any clerk in New York and get married anywhere in the state. Can we get married in New York even if we don’t live there? Yes. New York doesn’t require residency to get married there.

Do I need to register my marriage in Texas if I get married abroad?

When people get married abroad, they often ask if they need to register their marriage when they return home. Yes! It’s not complicated as long as you have what you need. Contact your home country’s Birth, Deaths, and Marriages office or embassy if you are not in your country of citizenship. When you marry in Denmark, the International marriage certificate is stored with the Danish registry for 100 years. The Danish Authorities do not communicate the marriage to anyone. For more details, see our blog. To benefit from being a married couple, you must let the relevant authorities know. You can also change your name after the ceremony.

Can I get married in Vegas if I live in California?

More useful info. Register for your marriage license on the Clark County website to save time. Then, go to the Bureau (201 E Clark Ave, Las Vegas, NV, 89101) and get the license. You can then marry anywhere with a licensed officiant.

Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. Read our full disclaimer for more information. Can you get married in Vegas if you live in another state? What paperwork do you need to get married in Vegas?

Can I get married in Florida if I live in another state?

Out-of-state residents can apply and have their ceremony on the same day.

Can I get married in Colorado with a Texas marriage license?

Marriage licenses from other states don’t apply in Colorado.

Apply in person. You must apply in person for a marriage license at your local Colorado County Clerk and Recorder Office. For more information about each office, see the links at the bottom of this page. If an applicant cannot appear in person, the other applicant must apply in person and provide the following:

Complete, sign, and notarize the absentee application (ask your local clerk for this form).

Bring the following to apply:

Can you get married in Vegas with a marriage license from another state?

A marriage license from Nevada is valid for a wedding in Nevada. You can fill out the license application online, but you must pick it up in person with proper ID.