Marriage Laws
Oklahoma
ID Requirement: Drivers License or certified birth certificate or passport and his or her Social Security number.
Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Oklahoma.
If previously married: Bring certified copy of divorce decree
or a copy of deceased spouse's death certificate.
Application Requirement: Both parties to a marriage should appear in person to obtain the license.Fees: $50 - cash or money order only. Couples who take a premarital counseling course "conducted by a health professional or an official representative of a religious institution" will be charged only $5 for a marriage license.
Waiting Period: No waiting period.
Blood Tests: No.
Under 18: Parents must appear at the courthouse with the couple to sign a consent form. Minors must wait three days before the marriage license is valid.
Proxy Marriages: No. Both parties must be present.
Common Law Marriage: No.
Cousin Marriage: No.
Officiants: Ordained ministers of the gospel of any denomination who are at least 18 years of age may perform marriages. Ministers must file a copy of their credentials with the county clerk before performing marriages. Ministers must complete a certificate of marriage and return it to the clerk or judge who issued the marriage license.
Valid: License is valid for 10 days.
The license can only be used within the State of Oklahoma.
Arkansas
ID Requirement: Picture id such as Drivers License, and Birth Certificate. If no Birth Certificate is available, you will need 3 forms of identification with name and birth date available on the document.
Application Requirement: Both the bride and groom must appear in person at the time of applying.
Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Arkansas.
Waiting Period: No waiting period.
Fees: Cash Only! $58
Other Tests: No tests.
Age Requirement: Under 18 requires consent of both sets of parents.
Officiants: Any regularly ordained minister or priest of any religious sect or denomination may perform marriages. Ministers must have their ordination credentials filed by the county clerk who will then issue a certificate to the minister. The marriage license must be completed by the minister and returned to the county clerk within 60 days from the date the license was issued.
Valid: License is valid for 60 days.
The license can only be used within the State of Arkansas.
Missouri
ID Requirement: Picture id such as Drivers License, and Social Security card.
Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Missouri.
Previous Marriages: Applicants must provide the date their last marriage ended and must wait at least 30 days after the divorce is final before applying for a marriage license.
Application Requirement: Both the bride and groom must appear together before the Recorder of Deeds of any Missouri county and apply for a marriage license. Once you have obtained your Missouri Marriage License, you can be married in any county in Missouri in the next 30 days. After 30 days, the license expires and you have to repeat the entire process again to get another one. Beware, at least one county in Missouri has their marraige licenses expire in only 15 days.
Waiting Period: None. Missouri has repealed the three-day (3) waiting period that Missouri previously required.
Fees: $50 plus a $1 fee for each parental consent.
No Refunds - Cash Only.
Blood Tests: No tests
Under 18: A person under age 18 cannot marry without the consent of the custodial parent or guardian.
•A person under age 15 cannot marry without approval of a judge in the county where the marriage license is sought. The statute states that the judge should grant approval only upon a showing of "good cause" and that unusual conditions make the marriage "advisable." Persons lacking mental capacity to consent to marriage cannot marry without court approval.
Solemnization Authority: Within the 30-day period after the marriage license is issued, the marriage must be "solemnized" by one of the following:
•A clergyman or clergywoman, active or retired, who is in good standing with any church or synagogue in Missouri;
•A Circuit Court or Associate Circuit Court judge (who are prohibited by a Missouri Constitutional provision from receiving any compensation for the service);
•A religious society, institution or organization in Missouri of which either marriage party is a member, in accordance with the organization's regulations and customs.
Within 90 days after the marriage ceremony, the person solemnizing the marriage must complete the marriage certificate issued with the marriage license and return it to the office of the issuing Recorder. Lack of witnesses does not render a marriage invalid. However, two witnesses can submit an affidavit that the marriage ceremony took place if the certificate is lost or destroyed and the person who solemnized the marriage is unavailable.
Common Law Marriage: No. However, Missouri law does recognize the validity of common-law marriages entered into in Missouri before 1921, as well as common-law marriages contracted in other states which permit them.
Cousin Marriages: No.
Proxy Marriages: Yes.
Same Sex Marriages: No.
Officiants: Marriages may be performed by any clergyman who is a citizen of the United States and who is in good standing with any church or synagogue in this state. Ministers must keep a record of all marriages they perform. They must give the couple a marriage certificate and must complete the marriage license and return it to the recorder of deeds within 90 days after the marriage license was issued.
Valid: License is valid for 30 days.
The license can only be used within the State of Missouri.
Colorado
Marriage license Laws in the state of Colorado, here is what you need to bring with you, and what you need to know about the Colorado marriage laws before filling out the Colorado marriage license form.
In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the document in your state that allows you to officially tie the knot under the law. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of court's office to find out what your local rules are.
You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.
When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a nominal fee. You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application.
And, believe it or not, just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your chaplain your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.
A marriage license may be issued in any county and used in any county in the State of Colorado. However, the license must be used within 30 days from the date of issue. The license is issued the day it is applied for and may be used immediately.
Fee: Marriage license is $30.00. Cash or Checks Only.
Blood test: Blood tests are not required to obtain a marriage license.
Age Requirements: The legal age without parental consent is 18 years of age. Applicants who are 16 and 17 years of age must have parental consent from both parents. A parent who has sole custody of a minor will be required to sign a statement to this fact. If one or both of the parents cannot appear at the time of applying for the license, an absentee application may be completed and notarized ahead of time. This is to be presented when the marriage license is issued. Applicants 15 years of age or younger, must obtain a court order granting judicial approval as well as complying with the above requirements. The court order must be obtained in the county where judicial approval has been granted.
Identification: Acceptable forms for proof of age are as follows: Drivers License, Passport, Visa, Birth Certificate, Military ID, or state issued ID Card.
Social Security Number: Must be given when applying for a license. If either party does not have a social security number, they must sign an affidavit when applying for the license.
Application Form: Both male and female applicants must appear in person to complete and sign the marriage application. If one party cannot appear due to illness, is out of state, or incarcerated, he or she must obtain an ABSENTEE APPLICATION from the Clerk and Recorder's office. The party applying must bring the absentee application along with identification for the absent party. Applicants need not be residents of Colorado. ABSENTEE APPLICATIONS MUST BE NOTARIZED.
Previous Marriages: If either party has been divorced or widowed, we need to know the date, County and State. We do not need proof. The
Colorado - continued
couple will be required to swear under oath that all information given is true and correct.
Ceremony: A marriage may be solemnized by a judge of a court of record, a public official whose powers include solemnization of marriages, or in accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination or Indian nation or tribe. As of August 1993, a couple themselves can solemnize their own marriage.
Cousin Marriages: Yes.
Common Law Marriages: Yes. Common Law Marriage - Recognized. See, "Common Law Marriage in Colorado," 16 Colo. Law. 252 (1987); Crandall v. Resley, 804 P.2d 272 (Colo. App. 1990).
Marriage by Proxy: Yes. If a party to a marriage is unable to be present at solemnization, he may authorize in writing a third person to act as his proxy. Sec. 14-2-109(2).
Same Sex Marriages: No.
Officiants: Couples themselves may solemnize their own marriage (C.R.S 14-2-109).
They must apply for paper work from the County Courthouse in order to do this.
However, friends or relatives can not solemnize their marriage. Out-of-state Clergy
need not be registered in Colorado.
Solemnizing a Marriage: Couples themselves may solemnize their own marriage (perform one's own marriage ceremony). According to Colorado Revised Statute 14-2-109, a marriage may be solemnized by a judge of a court; by a court magistrate; by a retired judge of the court; by a public official whose powers include solemnization of marriages; by Indian tribe officials; by clergy; by the parties to the marriage. If you wish to solemnize your own marriage, you will be responsible for acquiring, completing and returning the license to marry to the appropriate county Office of the Clerk and Recorder.
Grounds for Annulment: Lack of capacity to consent at time solemnized, under-age (not cured by consent of parents or court), fraud, jest or dare, duress and impotency (unknown to other party at time of marriage), and any prohibited marriage. Sec. 14-10-111. See, "Annulments in Colorado," 22 Colo. Law. 2249 (1993).
Valid: License is valid for thirty (30) days. If either one of you is on probation or parole, you will need special authorization.
Kansas
ID Requirement: A certified Birth Certificate.
• Full name (First, Middle and Last)
• Residence (City, county and state)
• Birthplace (State or foreign country)
• Date of birth
• Race
• Highest level of education completed
• Both applicants fathers' full name (First, Middle and Last)
• Both applicants mothers' full name (First, Middle and Maiden)
• All birthplaces (State or Foreign Country)
• Name and address of person performing ceremony, if known.
Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Kansas.
If Previously Married:If previously married, how last marriage ended and when. Number of this marriage (1st, 2nd, etc).
Application Requirement: Applicant must be the bride or groom. Both applicants need not be present. Applicant must swear under oath:
• The applicants are not related (i.e.1st cousin or closer).
• The applicants have no spouse. (If divorced, decree must be filed over 30 days ago.)
• The applicants know of no other reason why they should not be legally married.
Waiting Period: 3 business-days.
Fees:$50 fee and a $25 judicial branch surcharge payable in cash or money order only. Money orders should be payable to "Clerk of the District Court". The money is non-refundable.
Blood Tests: No blood test requirement.
Under 18: Any applicant who is under age 18 must have either:
• Notarized, written consent of all then living parents and legal guardians OR
• Notarized, written consent of one parent or legal guardian and consent of a district court judge. (K.S.A. 23-106)
• Identification number (usually social security number)
• Applicants are of the opposite sex.
Both parties age 18 or older -- no consent requirements
Common Law Marriages: No.
Same Sex Marriages: No.
Solemnization Authority:Marriage may be validly solemnized and contracted in this state, after a license has been issued for the marriage, in the following manner:
By the mutual declarations of the two parties to be joined in marriage, made before an authorized officiating person and in the presence of at least two competent witnesses over 18 years of age, other than the officiating person, that they take each other as husband and wife. The following are authorized to be officiating persons:
•Any currently ordained clergyman or religious authority of any religious denomination or society;
•any licentiate of a denominational body or an appointee of any bishop serving as the regular clergyman of any church of the denomination to which the licentiate or appointee belongs, if not restrained from so doing by the discipline of that church or denomination;
•any judge or justice of a court of record;
•any municipal judge of a city of this state; and
• any retired judge or justice of a court of record.
The two parties themselves, by mutual declarations that they take each other as husband and wife, in accordance with the customs, rules and regulations of any religious society, denomination or sect to which either of the parties belong, may be married without an authorized officiating person.
Officiants: Any ordained clergyman of any religious denomination or society may perform marriages. Ministers are required to file credentials or ordination with the judge of a probate court before performing marriages. Minister must return the marriage license and a certificate of marriage to the probate judge who issued the marriage license within 10 days after the marriage.
Valid: Licenseis valid for 6 months.
The license can only be used within the State of Kansas.
Texas
ID Requirement:: In Texas, you will need one valid form of id such as drivers license, certified copy of your birth certificate, U. S. passport, military ID card, and your Social Security number.
Residency Requirement: Neither one of you have to be a resident of Texas. Texas is a great locale for a destination wedding!
Pre-marital Education: In Texas, couples are encouraged to attend a premarital education course that is at least four hours duration. It must be finished during the year preceding applying for a marriage license. Contact the county clerk for a roster of area course providers.
Previous Marriage: If divorced within thirty days, Texas requires that you show a certified copy of your divorce decree stating the 30 day waiting period is waived.
Waiting Period: The 72 hours (3 days) waiting period in Texas can be waived for active duty military personnel.
Fees and Other Tests: $31 - $67 cash, so don't leave home without it! The fees may vary from Texas county to county. Blood tests or medical examinations are not required in Texas.
NOTE: Effective September 2008, the license fee will be waived if a couple takes an 8-hour premarital preparation course that covers important marital skills and issues such as conflict management and communication.
Common Law Marriage or Informal Marriage: Yes. Texas also refers to common law marriage as an informal marriage.
For a marriage to be declared an informal marriage in Texas, a couple has two options. 1. Sign a declaration of their marriage under oath. The form is available at County Clerk's office.
The Declaration and Registration of Informal Marriage asks for full names, woman's maiden surname, addresses, dates of birth, places of birth, social security numbers, and relationship information.
The Declaration states: "I solemnly swear (or affirm) that we, the undersigned, are married to each other by virtue of the following facts: On or about (Date) we agreed to be married, and after that date we lived together as husband and wife and in this state we represented to others that we were married. Since the date of marriage to the other party I have not been married to any other person. This declaration is true and the information in it which I have given is correct."2. Live together as husband and wife in Texas
Represent to others that they are married.
Agree with one another that they are married.Individuals under the age of 18 may not enter into an informal marriage.
Renewal of Vows or Secret MarriageRemarriage: According to the Texas state laws, a county clerk must issue a marriage license to a couple who is already married to each other.
Proxy Marriages: Yes. In Texas, any adult person can apply on behalf of an applicant who is unable to appear personally before the county clerk. An affidavit of absence form must be provided. If you are incarcerated and are unable to be present for your wedding ceremony, you can also request a Prison Proxy form.
Cousin Marriages: No. S.B. No. 6
Same Sex Marriages: No.