When Can People Have a Civil Ceremony?
People choose to have a civil ceremony for different reasons. This includes convenience, religious or non-religious traditions as well as time constraints. Civil marriages give couples the freedom to express themselves to be as informal or formal, streamlined or sentimental as they wish. Once a civil ceremony is decided upon there are a few things to take into consideration. Weddingcentral.com considers civil ceremonies to be the fastest, easiest way to get married.
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The Facts
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A civil ceremony is a non-religious legal marriage ceremony performed by a government official or functionary. Civil ceremonies may be performed by town, city and county clerks, judges and justices of the peace, or others possessing legal authority to officiate a marriage. Some states still require blood tests for a license to marry. Generally, information about marriage licenses and civil ceremonies can be found on a state or county website.
Function
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Civil ceremonies can be considered for non-religious couples, couples on tight budgets or couples who would rather do without a big wedding. The state laws generally specify a certain minimum age and require that the bride and groom be competent enough to make a contract. If the couple is under age 18, a parent or legal guardian may have to approve the civil ceremony with a signature. A civil ceremony does not have to take place in a courthouse.
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Time Frame
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Only after a valid marriage license is obtained can a civil ceremony may be performed. The couple must go the city hall during regular business hours in the town in which they will be married. Each person will confirm identity, swear that the information that was given is true and pay the required fee. Each state has its own laws that may require a waiting period between issuing a marriage license and the ceremony.
Considerations
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If the couple will have a civil ceremony at the courthouse, the ceremony will be performed in the order couples arrive. Check and confirm the exact time the judge will start performing ceremonies. Depending on how many weddings are scheduled that day, you may have to wait a little while. For civil ceremonies not performed at the courthouse, a legal authority such as a pastor or justice of the peace will need to be secured before the ceremony takes place. It's wise to contact different officials at least a month before the ceremony to compare prices and availability as well as how far they are willing to travel.
Benefits
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A civil ceremony is legal and binding as with any wedding officiated by a legal authority. A benefit of civil ceremonies is that they are not limited to a courthouse. The ceremony can be performed in a backyard, ballrooms, party halls or anywhere the couple so choose. The couple will be given different ceremonies to choose from. The shortest can be half a page, which is more along the lines of "I Do" and the longest can be six pages. In a civil ceremony performed in the courthouse or a neutral location, you can have as many witnesses as you like, although most states require two witnesses older than 18.
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