Guide to Annulment of Marriage in Oregon

Most marriages in Oregon end in either death or divorce.  However, there is another way to dissolve a marital relationship.  Annulment of marriage in OR is an option for couples whose marriage was void or voidable at the time it was contracted.  This guide will explain the basics of annulment of marriage in Oregon, including the differences between annulment and divorce.  If you need more in-depth information about annulment of marriage in OR, or legal advice about your particular situation, you may want to consult a family law attorney in your area.

Annulment vs. Divorce

Many people are confused about the difference between divorce and annulment of marriage in Oregon.  When you get a divorce, you are acknowledging that a relationship existed between you and your spouse, but that the relationship has come to an end.  When you get an annulment of marriage in OR, however, it is as if you had never been married at all.  Annulment of marriage in Oregon retroactively voids your entire marriage.  However, much as in divorce, a judge will need to approve your annulment of marriage in OR.

Grounds for Annulment of Marriage in Oregon

In order to have an annulment of marriage in OR approved by the courts, you will need to prove that one of two specific things has happened.  The first of the two permissible grounds for annulment of marriage in Oregon is that one party lacked the ability to consent to the marriage.  In some cases, annulment of marriage in OR can be granted on these grounds if you can prove that a party was mentally incompetent.  Children are also incapable of consent to marry, and can attain an annulment of marriage in Oregon if they married illegally before the age of 18.

The other reason for the courts to allow an annulment of marriage in OR is when one party was forced or defrauded into marrying.  If a spouse was lying about a fundamental aspect of the marriage and the spouse who was defrauded stops cohabiting with their spouse as soon as they find out, they may be granted an annulment of marriage in Oregon.  In order to obtain an annulment of marriage in OR for these grounds, the spouses will need to have separated as soon as the force or fraud was stopped.

Alternatives to Annulment of Marriage in Oregon

Because annulment of marriage in OR is only available under very specific circumstances, many people would prefer an alternative.  It can often be quicker and easier to have a no-fault divorce than to be granted an annulment of marriage in Oregon.  Talking to a divorce attorney can help you understand the difference between annulment and divorce in terms of court procedure and cost, so you can make a fully informed decision for your individual situation.

Religious Annulment of Marriage in Oregon

This guide has covered the civil aspect of annulment of marriage in OR.  If you need your marriage annulled for religious purposes (for instance, the Catholic Church does not allow divorcees to take communion), you will want to talk to your religious leader about these procedures.  Typically, these are handled by churches only and do not require legal advice.

Guide to Getting a Marriage Certificate in Oregon

If you need a marriage certificate in OR for your own research or records, you may not know what state level department to contact.  Not everyone is eligible to obtain any marriage certificate in Oregon, and a request without the correct identification or paperwork is likely to be rejected.  This guide will explain who is eligible to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate in OR, and how you can go about getting a marriage certificate if you are eligible.

Who Can Get a Marriage Certificate in Oregon?

Currently, only some categories of people are allowed to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate in OR.  In order to get a marriage certificate in Oregon for a marriage that took place in the last 50 years, you are required to show that you are a family member of one of the people who was married (or a member of the couple), an attorney or other legal representative, a person with a personal or property right to the marriage certificate, or someone who is licensed to receive such records.

If you do qualify to get a marriage certificate in OR, you will need to provide valid photo identification at the time when you seek the certificate copy.  If you do not have any relationship to the couple and are therefore ineligible to get a copy of their marriage certificate in Oregon, you may still obtain a copy if you can provide a notarized permission form from someone who is eligible.

Obtaining a Marriage Certificate in Oregon

If you have just gotten married in Oregon, you may obtain a marriage certificate in OR from your county clerk's office.  You may need your marriage certificate in Oregon to show to your employer in order to add a spouse to your health insurance or other benefits plan, or to show to a state agency or the Social Security Administration if you plan to change your name after your wedding.  In some cases, it may be useful to have more than one copy of your marriage certificate in OR.

It will generally cost $20 to obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate in Oregon.  You may also order your marriage certificate in OR from the State Department of Vital Records.  The office accepts requests via fax, phone, internet, and mail.  However, it costs more to get a marriage certificate in Oregon if you are using a credit card: expect a steep $12.50 transaction fee for all credit card transactions. 

Obtaining a Marriage Certificate in Oregon for Research

Even if you have no eligibility to access a marriage certificate in OR, after 50 years have passed, the records become available to the public.  Any interested party may seek a marriage certificate in Oregon for any marriage that occurred more than 50 years ago.  The process for ordering a copy of this type of marriage certificate in OR is much the same as for ordering a certificate for yourself, with the same costs.

Guide to Getting a Marriage Certificate in Oklahoma

When you are married, you may need a copy of your marriage certificate in OK in order to provide a government agency or your workplace with proof of your marriage for benefits or insurance purposes.  Because Oklahoma does not keep marriage records as part of the state's Department of Vital Records, it can be difficult to find your marriage certificate in Oklahoma.  This guide will teach you how to get your marriage certificate in OK or find a certificate for historical or genealogical research.

Who Can Get a Marriage Certificate in Oklahoma?

Some states restrict who can obtain a copy of a marriage certificate.  However, a marriage certificate in OK is considered a matter of public record, and you may obtain a copy of any marriage record in the state that interests you.  The only requirements for obtaining a copy of a marriage certificate in Oklahoma are that you know the names of the parties who married.

If you are getting your initial marriage certificate in OK, you will need to present proof of identification and age in order to marry.  You will not be required to have a blood test or wait through a waiting period in order to get married and obtain your marriage certificate in Oklahoma.  You may obtain your initial marriage certificate in OK from any county in the state, regardless of which county you choose to marry in.

Getting a Duplicate Marriage Certificate in Oklahoma

In order to get many government benefits or have your spouse covered by workplace health insurance, you may have to present a certified copy of your marriage certificate in OK.  Getting this type of copy is relatively inexpensive, but will require that you contact your county clerk's office.  A list of contact information for the county clerk in every county in Oklahoma is available here:   

Some county clerks may offer the ability to order a copy of your marriage certificate in Oklahoma over the phone or the internet.  In other cases, you may have to go to your county clerk's office in purpose to get your marriage certificate in OK, or mail a copy of your request.

Getting a Marriage Certificate in Oklahoma for Research

If you need a copy of a marriage certificate in OK County for any marriage that took place between 1889 and 1951, you may be able to find it at the official website for the Oklahoma Historical Society.  However, if you are searching for a marriage certificate in Oklahoma from another time or county, you may have to contact the county clerk in the county where the marriage took place.  These certificates for research purposes will generally cost the same as any duplicate marriage certificate in OK.

Some marriage records from the territorial period of Oklahoma history are relatively difficult to acquire or may never have been filed with any county or state government.  In some cases, a marriage certificate in Oklahoma may actually be filed with a county in an adjacent state.

Getting a Copy of Marriage License in Oklahoma

If you need to obtain a copy of marriage license in OK, you may not know where to begin.  This guide can help you get a copy of a marriage license in Oklahoma whether you're applying for an initial license to get married or need a duplicate copy.  You will also learn who is eligible to obtain a copy of a marriage license in OK.  If you need more information about getting a copy of a marriage license in Oklahoma, you may want to talk to your local county clerk.

Who Can Get a Copy of Marriage License in Oklahoma?

If you are trying to get an initial copy of marriage license in OK, you will be required to show proof of age.  People who are 16 or 17 years old must provide not only proof of age but also permission by a parent or guardian in order to obtain an initial copy of a marriage license in Oklahoma.

If you are seeking a duplicate copy of marriage license in OK, or a copy for research purposes, these documents are considered public records.  Any interested party may obtain this type of copy of a marriage license in Oklahoma, as long as they know the names of both parties and when the marriage occurred.

Obtaining an Initial Copy of Marriage License in Oklahoma

If you want to get a copy of marriage license in OK so that you can get married, you should appear in person at your county clerk's office.  The fee for this initial copy of a marriage license in Oklahoma is $50 for couples who have not completed premarital counseling, but is discounted to just $5 for couples who can show proof that they have completed counseling.

You will not be required to wait to marry after you get your copy of a marriage license in OK, provided both members of the couple are 18 or older.  Couples with a member under 18 are required to wait at least 72 hours to have a wedding ceremony after obtaining their copy of a marriage license in Oklahoma.

Obtaining a Duplicate Copy of Marriage License in Oklahoma

If you need a copy of marriage license in OK for identification purposes or in order to prove your marriage to a government agency, you will need to talk to the clerk of the county court where you received your license.  There is no state agency that keeps track of all marriage licenses in the state, so your copy will only be available from the court clerk and costs may vary.  

Obtaining a Copy of Marriage License in Oklahoma For Research

For researchers who need a copy of a marriage license, the procedure is usually the same as for those seeking duplicates of their own licenses.  However, if you need a copy of a marriage license in Oklahoma from the state's territorial period, you may have a difficult time: these marriage records are spotty and may not be available in all cases.  Some territorial marriage records are also kept in adjacent states rather than in Oklahoma counties.

Guide to Annulment of Marriage in Oklahoma

While most marriages end with either divorce or death, there is an alternative to divorce available for some spouses.  An annulment of marriage in OK differs from divorce in several key respects.  This guide will help you understand what an annulment is, and whether your marriage may qualify for an annulment of marriage in Oklahoma.  You'll also learn why a civil annulment of marriage in OK may not qualify under religious laws as a proper annulment.

Divorce vs. Annulment of Marriage in Oklahoma

When a couple divorces, the court system recognizes that their relationship existed and was valid, but does not exist any longer.  However, when a couple applies for an annulment of marriage in OK, they are in essence asking the court to decide that their marriage never existed legally.  An annulment of marriage in Oklahoma retroactively voids the entire marriage, making it as if the couple had never been married at all.

Grounds for Annulment of Marriage in Oklahoma

While divorce is available on a no-fault basis for all couples, getting an annulment of marriage in OK is more difficult.  You may only be awarded an annulment of marriage in Oklahoma by showing that in some way, the marriage contract itself was not valid.  While some states consider impotence or insanity grounds for an annulment, you may only get an annulment of marriage in OK by showing that your marital contract was void or voidable at the time when it was contracted.

For instance, if one member of a couple was incapable of consent due to his or her age or mental incapacity, an annulment of marriage in Oklahoma may be granted.  Additionally, if the marriage was due to one party being forced or defrauded, the contract is invalid and the court may grant an annulment of marriage in OK.

Alternatives to Annulment of Marriage in Oklahoma

If you want an annulment of marriage in OK but have no grounds for annulment, you will have to file for divorce instead.  In most cases, it may actually be easier to file for divorce than for an annulment of marriage in Oklahoma.  If you and your spouse can agree on how to divide your property, getting a no-fault divorce can be inexpensive and fast.

In most situations, there is essentially no legal difference between a divorce and an annulment of marriage in OK except for the fact that the latter means you have never been married.  In most situations, this distinction is meaningless, and even a couple who qualifies for an annulment of marriage in Oklahoma may choose to divorce instead.

Religious Annulment of Marriage in Oklahoma

While civil annulment of marriage in OK requires that you prove specific grounds for annulment, religious annulment has different guidelines.  In order to find out about religious annulment in your church, you will need to consult with your religious leader.  Typically, attorneys will not assist with religious annulment of marriage in Oklahoma, so you will need to seek your annulment on your own.  In some religious traditions, annulment is required in order for a second marriage to be recognized by the church.

Guide to Getting a Marriage Certificate in Kentucky

If you need a marriage certificate in KY, whether you recently married or are looking for records for research or investigation, the process for obtaining one is relatively simple.  You can get a marriage certificate in Kentucky from either a county courthouse or the state.  This guide will teach you how to obtain a marriage certificate in KY and who is eligible to get marriage certificates.  You'll also learn about the costs of obtaining a certified marriage certificate in Kentucky.

Who May Obtain a Marriage Certificate in Kentucky?

While it may seem like someone's marriage certificate in KY is a highly personal document, in truth, they are considered public records at the state level and are therefore available to any interested member of the public.  The Open Records Act allows citizens to request copies of any marriage certificate in Kentucky.  

Many people have a reason to need a copy of a marriage certificate in KY that is not their own.  For instance, people interested in geneological research, or spouses researching a current spouse's previous marriage may want to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate in Kentucky to confirm information.  You will not be asked for your reasons when you request a marriage certificate in KY.  Instead, you will simply be required to provide the names of both parties and the approximate date when the marriage occurred. 

Marriage Certificates for Married Couples

There are several reasons that a married couple may want an extra copy of their marriage certificate in Kentucky.  If a spouse is changing his or her last name on his or her Social Security documentation, he or she must submit an official certified copy of his or her marriage certificate in KY to the Social Security office.  You may also need a copy of your marriage certificate in Kentucky in order to add a spouse to workplace-offered health insurance for spouses and dependents.

If you still live in the county where you initially obtained your marriage certificate in KY, it is easy to get an additional copy.  The clerk at the county courthouse maintains a copy of every marriage certificate in Kentucky filed at that courthouse.  You may obtain your marriage certificate in KY by visiting the courthouse in person or by using the mail.  To find contact information for your county clerk's office so that you can obtain your marriage certificate in Kentucky, check out this website: https://courts.ky.gov/counties/.

Marriage Certificates for Research

Often, people who are conducting research and need a copy of a marriage certificate in KY live far from the county courthouse where the marriage license was issued.  In this case, it may be easier to obtain the marriage certificate in Kentucky that you are searching for by contacting the state's Office of Vital Records.  For $6, this office will provide you with a copy of any marriage certificate in KY from 1958 or afterward.  In order to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate in Kentucky from prior to 1958, you will need to contact the county clerk's office.

Getting a Copy of a Marriage License in Kentucky

Many people have a reason for needing a copy of a marriage license in Kentucky.  Some people need to get a new copy of a marriage license in KY so that they can get married to the spouse of their choosing.  Other people may want to have an additional copy of a marriage license in Kentucky in order to prove that they are married for government forms or insurance documentation.  Still others need a copy of a marriage license in KY for investigative or research purposes.  No matter why you need a copy of a marriage license in Kentucky, this guide can help you find where to obtain it.

Obtaining an Initial Copy of a Marriage License in Kentucky

When you seek out your first copy of a marriage license in KY, you should go to your local county clerk's office to fill out the license application.  In order to receive your copy of a marriage license in Kentucky, you and your spouse will need to fill out forms and pay a fee that can vary by county.  You can usually expect it to cost less than $50 to get your initial copy of a marriage license in KY.

Once you have a copy of a marriage license in Kentucky, you may get married in any county in the state.  After your marriage ceremony is performed, you and your spouse, as well as the officiant at your wedding, will sign and date the license form.  Only after your copy of a marriage license in KY has been signed and witnessed will your marriage be valid.

Obtaining a Duplicate Copy of a Marriage License in Kentucky

If you are already married, you may find that insurance or government paperwork requires you to obtain a new copy of a marriage license in KY to prove that you are married.  In order to obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate in Kentucky, you will need to contact the office of the county clerk in the county where you were married.

A certified copy of a marriage certificate in Kentucky is usually relatively inexpensive, and can be obtained by mail or in person in all counties.  You may also be able in some counties to get a copy of a marriage license in Kentucky by ordering online.  Paying with a credit or debit card may result in a transaction fee being assessed by the county clerk's office.

Obtaining a Copy of a Marriage License in Kentucky for Research

You don't need to be one of the spouses listed in the license to obtain a copy of a marriage license in KY.  If you are doing research or investigation and want to find out about the details of a marriage, you may ask for a copy of a marriage certificate in Kentucky at either the office of the county clerk, or the state's Office of Vital Statistics.  The cost for obtaining a certified copy of a marriage license in Kentucky from the Office of Vital Statistics is $6.  You may order a copy of a marriage license in KY online from this website: https://www.vitalchek.com/kentucky-express-birth-certificates.aspx.

A brief guide to obtaining a marriage certificate in Alabama

For a marriage to be legally recognized, two spouses must make sure to obtain all proper documentation. Marriage certificates in Alabama are a record issued by your county court certifying that you have taken all the proper steps necessary to have your relationship legally recognized. 

In order to be legally married, the first step is to apply for a marriage license. This document will be recorded as part of your marriage certificate in Alabama. If the people marrying are 16 or 17 years of age, their parents must come to the county court in person to sign a document affirming that they are permitting the marriage. American citizens who are 18 years or older only need their drivers' license in order to obtain marriage certificates in Alabama. Aliens will need to provide their passport as well as their visa in order to obtain this document.

A marriage must be performed within 30 days of receiving a license. If this period has expired and the ceremony has not been executed, you will need to apply for another license. This license will be documented on your marriage certificate in Alabama. Maintain copies of all documents related to your marriage. You will need copies of marriage certificates in Alabama if seeking a divorce or making a claim to a spouse's estate.

Alabama is one of only ten states that recognizes common law marriages. This means that couples which do not receive a marriage certificate in Alabama may still have their relationship legally recognized for tax purposes or other reasons. However, bear in mind that this will not apply if you and your spouse relocate to another state which does not recognize common law marriage. In such cases, you may want to be formally married for a marriage certificate in Alabama that will establish your relationship wherever you are.

People who wish to receive a copy of this document will need to get in touch with the Vital Records office of the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. This government office maintains copies of all marriage certificates in Alabama issued from 1936 onwards. Any person who can pay the $15 fee necessary for this search and provide all relevant information may conduct this search. If you are looking for copies of marriages certificates in Alabama issued before 1936, you will need to get in touch with the probate office in the county where the ceremony was performed.

You must provide enough information for this document to be located. In order to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate in Alabama, your request should include:

• The full names of both spouses

• The location where the ceremony was performed

• The date the ceremony was performed

• Your contact information, including an address and telephone number

There is a $6 fee for copies of marriage certificates in Alabama. You may request as many copies as are necessary. Requests for a search for marriage certificates in Alabama can be conducted in person at a county health department or by mail.

Guide to Annulment of Marriage in Pennsylvania

While most marriages end with the death of one partner or a divorce, one other legal way exists for Pennsylvania residents to dissolve their marital relationship.  annulment of marriage in PA is a way to end a marriage that differs from divorce in a few key ways.  Rather than recognizing the end of a relationship, annulment of marriage in Pennsylvania voids the relationship retroactively, making it as if it had never existed.  This guide will help you understand who is eligible for an annulment of marriage in PA.

Grounds for Annulment: Void Marriages

In some situations, a marriage can be said to be void from its beginning, and in these cases it is generally fairly easy to obtain an annulment of marriage in Pennsylvania.  There are four basic ways a marriage can be considered void according to Pennsylvania law:

ñ One or both spouses is already married to another person at the time of the marriage.  This is considered bigamy, even if the spouse was separated from their former spouse, and is grounds for an annulment of marriage in PA.

ñ An annulment of marriage in Pennsylvania can be granted to anyone who has found themselves to be married to a close relative, including first cousins.

ñ When either party is incapable of consenting to the marriage (for instance, due to mental incapacity or insanity), the marital contract is void and an annulment of marriage in PA may be granted.

ñ If either person in a common law marriage was under 18, which is not allowed according to Pennsylvania state law, an annulment may be granted.

Grounds for Annulment: Voidable Marriages

While the above reasons make a marriage void immediately and are quite easily granted once a court has seen evidence, some marriages are considered voidable.  These marriages are valid until one party produces grounds for an annulment of marriage in Pennsylvania:

ñ If one person did not have court and parental consent to marry and was under 16 years of age at the time of the marriage.

ñ If one party or both was under 18 but at least 16, and did not receive parental or court consent, they may request an annulment of marriage in PA within 60 days of the marriage ceremony.

ñ If either party was intoxicated at the time of the marriage and requests an annulment of marriage in Pennsylvania within 60 days, the marriage may be considered voidable.

ñ If a party is unable to consummate the marriage physically with sexual intercourse, and this impotence is “natural and incurable,” the court may grant an annulment of marriage in PA.

ñ If one party was being defrauded, coerced or forced into marriage, the marriage is voidable. The party will need to prove that they did not voluntarily live with their spouse after being released or finding out about the fraud.

While annulment of marriage in Pennsylvania is harder to obtain than divorce, it may not always generate more benefits for either party.  You may wish to consult with a Pennsylvania divorce lawyer before deciding to begin the process of seeking an annulment of marriage in PA.

Getting a Copy of a Marriage License in Pennsylvania

If you need to obtain a copy of a marriage license in PA for your own records or for historical or geneological research, you may not know where to begin looking.  Unlike many states, Pennsylvania does not have a statewide agency that maintains copies of marriage records, so getting a copy of a marriage license in Pennsylvania can require some sleuthing.  This guide will help you to find a copy of a marriage license in PA no matter what county your original marriage license was obtained in.  

Who Can Get a Copy?

While it may seem like the only people who should be able to obtain a copy of a marriage license in Pennsylvania are the couple or their relatives, the truth is that marriage licenses are considered public information.  Anyone who requests a copy of a marriage license in PA may obtain one, for whatever purposes they wish, as long as they pay the proper administrative fees.

Couples may wish to have an additional copy of a marriage license in Pennsylvania in order to have legal documentation of their marriage.  In other cases, someone may want to ask for a copy of a marriage license in PA to verify the facts of a marriage for investigative or research purposes.  You will not be asked for your reason when you make a request for a copy of a marriage license in Pennsylvania.  However, you will be required to have the names of both parties and the date that the marriage occurred.

Where Can I Get a Copy?

Because the state does not require the Department of Vital Records to maintain copies of marriage licenses, your only option for getting a copy of a marriage license in PA is to go through the county courthouse where the license was originally obtained.  Every county courthouse in the state maintains its own copies of records.

Ordering a Copy of a Marriage License in Pennsylvania Online

Some counties allow people to order a marriage license copy through the internet.  This is substantially easier than making a mail request, and may represent the best option by far for people who are no longer located in the county where they need to request the license.  While Philadelphia does not allow people to order a copy of a marriage license online.

Commemorative Certificates

If you want a copy of a marriage license in PA so that you can have a memento of your marriage, many counties offer commemorative certificates that can be displayed by spouses.  These commemorative certificates serve the same purpose as a copy of a marriage license in Pennsylvania, but have a more attractive look than the typical computer printout of a license.  You can request information about commemorative certificates from your local county clerk.