Married in the eyes of the law

In her book Weddings, Emily Post introduced the legal requirements of wedding.
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Along with the romance, fun, and excitement of a wedding come the absolutes--the legally required paperwork and "to-do's" without which a marriage cannot take place. In order to be married in the eyes of the law, a couple must live up to the letter of the law-and the law can vary, not just from country to country but from state to state and even city to city. For example, you might find that Michigan requires a blood test, counseling, and witnesses for a marriage to take place (or a 60-day waiting period for couples who ignore the counseling requirement), while Ohio requires none of these. You certainly don't need to go so far as to hire an attorney to get married, but it is a good idea to check, in advance, what is required--whether you are getting married in your hometown or on an exotic locale on another continent.

Where do you start? Write or call the County Clerk's office or the Office of the Registrar in the town or county you are to be married. They may simply mail or fax you a list of legal requirements for acquiring a marriage license. Some states require that you register in the same state and even county where the ceremony will be performed, and some ask that you do so in person. The most important point is, start your research well in advance of the ceremony so that, come your wedding day, all will be legal and above board.
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