Marriage license

Today, they are a legal requirement in some jurisdictions and may also serve as the record of the marriage itself, if signed by the couple and witnessed.

There could be a number of reasons for a couple to obtain a licence: they might wish to marry quickly (and avoid the three weeks' delay by the calling of banns); they might wish to marry in a parish away from their home parish; or, because a licence required a higher payment than banns, they might choose to obtain one as a status symbol.

The other was the special licence, which could only be granted by the Archbishop of Canterbury or his officials and allowed the marriage to take place in any church.

So, today, a couple has a choice between being married in the Anglican Church,[a] after the calling of banns or obtaining a common or special licence or else, they can give "Notice of Marriage" to a civil registrar.

Historically, it was always considered legal and binding for a couple to marry by making public promises, without a formal ceremony but this form has not been available since 1940.

Marriages in Scotland normally require between 2 and 6 weeks' notice to the district registrar depending on the previous marital status and other procedural matters usually involving the country of residence and the nationality of the parties.

They have always recognized otherwise valid marriages (except bigamous, polygamous, interracial, or same-sex) entered into in conformity with the law of other states, territories and nations.

Traditionally, working with law enforcement was the only means of searching and accessing marriage license information across state lines.

[6] In Alabama, a law was passed in 2019 which abolished the issuance of marriage licenses and repealed a requirement for solemnization.

The Libertarian Party, for instance, believes that marriage should be a matter of personal liberty, not requiring permission from the state.

Some Christian groups also argue that a marriage is a contract between a man and a woman presided over by God, so no authorization from the state is required.

California's Proposition 8 has been the subject of heavy criticism by advocates of same-sex marriage,[12] including the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community whose ability to marry is often limited by the aforementioned state intervention.

[13] In October 2009, Keith Bardwell, a Louisiana justice of the peace, refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple, prompting civil liberties groups, such as the NAACP and ACLU, to call for his resignation or firing.

[16] In the state of Pennsylvania, self-uniting marriage licenses are available which require only the signatures of the bride and groom and witnesses.

In the Netherlands, couples intending to marry are required to register their intention beforehand, a process called "ondertrouw".

Marriages are performed without charge at the premises of the "Registro Civil" at the municipal hall of most counties and state houses in Mexico.