How to obtain copies of marriage license in Alabama

To formally marry someone, you must obtain a license from the state. A copy of marriage license in Alabama will be issued for a fee by the county in which you are undertaking the ceremony. This certified copy will be necessary in order to have your marriage legally recognized. 

Once you have obtained copies of marriage license in Alabama, you must have the ceremony performed within 30 days. After this period has expired, you will not be able to undertake the ceremony. You will need to request another copy of marriage license in Alabama to perform the ceremony.

While it is possible for those aged 16 and 17 to get married, this cannot be done without parental consent. Obtaining the copies of marriage license in Alabama necessary for the ceremony means all parents must come in person to give their written consent. Those 18 and older will only need a government-issued driver's license for this document if they are American citizens. Legal aliens will need a copy of their visa as well their passport in order to obtain a copy of marriage license in Alabama. Contrary to popular belief, it is no longer required to undergo a blood test to obtain this document. 

Maintain this documentation for future reference. You will need copies of marriage license in Alabama if you file for divorce at a later date. Additionally, you may need this paperwork if your spouse dies and you are having difficulty receiving the portion of their estate set aside in their will. A copy of marriage license in Alabama may be necessary to prove you are legally entitled to part of their assets.

If you misplace this document, you may need to replace it at a later date. Obtaining copies of marriage license in Alabama must be done through the court in the county in which you were married. This may be done either in person or through the mail. The fee for each copy of marriage license in Alabama varies from county to county but will not exceed $5.

You must assemble a few facts before receiving this document. The court will need the following details to issue copies of marriage license in Alabama:

• The full name of both spouses

• The date on which the marriage occurred

• A phone number at which you can be contacted

If you are seeking a copy of marriage license in Alabama that dates back a long period of time, you may need to get in touch with the local public library, city archives or other facility. Generally speaking, any ceremony which occurred more than 30 years ago will not still be maintained by the court. However, every county has a different cut-off date for when it transfers copies of marriage license in Alabama from the court building to another facility. Find the website of the court in the county from which you need this document to determine which office can best help you.

A brief guide to obtaining an annulment of marriage in Alabama

If you are Catholic or maintain a belief system which does not believe in divorce but wish to separate from your spouse, there are other options. However, for many people, obtaining legal annulments of marriage in Alabama will be difficult. There are a certain series of circumstances under which this may be granted. You may legally apply for an annulment of marriage in Alabama if:

• One or both spouses was underage at the time of marriage. In such instances, annulments of marriage in Alabama will be granted if one or both parties was under 14 years of age at the time of the ceremony

• One or both spouses was drunk or otherwise incapacitated during the marriage ceremony. In this case, an annulment of marriage in Alabama will be granted on the grounds that the person could not commit responsibility to the ceremony.

• Someone who discovers that their spouse was already legally married to someone else has grounds for dissolution of the marriage. Annulments of marriage in Alabama will be granted on grounds of bigamy.

• You married someone who misrepresented anything about their identity, finances or other important issues, that person has committed fraud. This means you are eligible to receive an annulment of marriage in Alabama.

• You were pressured into marrying someone under duress, this means you were pressured into doing so. This makes you eligible for annulments of marriage in Alabama.

• You are married to someone who is impotent and you wish to have children. Impotence is grounds for an annulment of marriage in Alabama.

• You may discover that the person you married is directly or closely related to you. Incest or this kind of "consanguinity" are grounds for annulments of marriage in Alabama.

It is important to understand that the Catholic Church does not have legal authority in this area. Because Catholicism does not approve of divorce, you may apply for an annulment of marriage in Alabama through the church. However, if this is granted, you will still be legally married to your spouse. While annulments of marriage in Alabama granted by the Catholic Church may be useful to you personally, they cannot help your legal situation.

However, there are alternatives for people who cannot divorce for religious reasons but wish to separate from their partner. Rather than seeking an annulment of marriage in Alabama, consider applying for a legal separation. This is a process similar to divorce, in which two spouses create an agreement detailing how they plan to handle issues such as:

• Alimony payments

• Child custody

• Visitation rights for the non-custodial parent

• Division of jointly owned property

Even if you are ineligible for annulments of marriage in Alabama, undertaking the legal separation process will allow you to live separately from your spouse and resolve all the same issues that would be settled in a divorce without violating your religious beliefs. 

A brief guide to annulment of marriage in Louisiana

Whether for religious reasons or because of other concerns, some people who wish to separate from their spouse may not wish to obtain a formal divorce. In such cases, annulments of marriage in Louisiana may be a possible alternative. This kind of legal procedure ends a marriage by stating that it was never valid.

It is important to note that an annulment of marriage in Louisiana which is obtained through the Catholic Church is not legally binding. While this will be helpful for people who do not wish to violate their religious beliefs, it will not be taken into consideration by the law, which will consider you to still be married. In order to qualify for annulments of marriage in Louisiana in the court system, one of the following must be true:

• A person was married to someone committed fraud or misrepresented any important detail about themselves

• If you marry someone who is unable to physically consummate the marriage, this is grounds for an annulment of marriage in Louisiana

• If you marry a person who becomes addicted to drugs or narcotics, you may attempt this process

• If you marry someone who is discovered to be mentally ill or becomes so at a later date, you are eligible for annulments of marriage in Louisiana

If you do not meet any of these conditions, this will not be an option for you. In such instances, you may wish to consider a legal separation as an alternative to obtaining an annulment of marriage in Louisiana. Under this process, you and your spouse will create a legal separation agreement detailing the same issues which would be considered in a divorce, such as the division of jointly owned property. Unlike successfully obtained annulments of marriage in Louisiana, this will not legally end your marriage. However, it will allow you and your spouse to live apart without violating your religious beliefs.

The process of obtaining an annulment of marriage in Louisiana is much the same as obtaining a divorce. A petition must be submitted to the appropriate court in your area detailing your complaint. In order for annulments of marriage in Louisiana to proceed through the court system, this document must not only explain the reason you are undertaking this process but when you first realized you were in an illegitimate marriage. 

Your spouse must be served with a copy of this complaint before annulments of marriage of Louisiana can proceed through the court system. Unlike divorces, there is no way to expedite this process. Even if both spouses are actively pursuing an annulment of marriage in Louisiana, they will still need to appear in court.

It may be possible to complete this process without paying for legal representation. However, proving fraud, drug addiction or any other basis for annulments of marriage in Louisiana can be difficult. In order to assemble the strongest possible case against a partner who disputes your allegations, you may benefit from a lawyer's advice.

Getting a Copy of a Marriage License in Oregon

If you have been married in the state or want to look at another person's marriage license, you may need to get a copy of a marriage license in OR.  Obtaining a copy of a marriage license in Oregon is not difficult as long as you follow the correct procedures and know where to go for the information you need.  This guide will explain how to get a copy of a marriage license in OR, regardless of whether you are getting an initial license to get married or a duplicate copy for your records.

Who Can Get a Copy of a Marriage License in Oregon?

While in many states, anyone may request marriage licenses, only certain people are allowed to obtain a copy of a marriage license in OR for the first 50 years after it is issued.  Currently, the people who are allowed to get a copy of a marriage license in Oregon within the first 50 years are:

ñ Family members of either of the people in the couple

ñ Attorneys or other legal representatives for either member of the couple

ñ Government agencies, including local, state, and federal level agencies

ñ People specifically licensed to obtain vital records, including a copy of a marriage certificate in Oregon

ñ People with some personal right or property right to the marriage certificate.

People who meet these eligibility guidelines must include their valid photo ID with any request for a copy of a marriage license in OR.  If an ineligible person makes an order for a copy of a marriage certificate in Oregon, they must have a notarized permission form from someone who is eligible enclosed with their request.

Obtaining an Initial Copy of a Marriage License in Oregon

When you want to get your first copy of a marriage license in OR, before having your wedding ceremony, you must go to the county clerk's office.  You may go to any county clerk's office in Oregon, regardless of which county in the state you plan to marry in.  Your first copy of a marriage certificate in Oregon will typically cost less than $60, payable to the county clerk's office.

Obtaining a Duplicate Copy of a Marriage License in Oregon

If you need a copy of a marriage license in OR for your records or identification information, you may want to order a copy from the state Department of Vital Records.  This department will provide you with a certified copy of a marriage license in Oregon for $20.  Additional copies may be obtained for $15 each.  You may be charged an additional $12.50 fee if you purchase your copy of a marriage license in OR using a credit card.

Research Copies of Oregon Marriage Licenses

After 50 years have passed, any interested party may obtain a copy of a marriage license in Oregon.  You may obtain a copy of a marriage license in OR for any marriage that took place over 50 years ago by writing to the state Department of Vital Records.  Costs for these copies will be identical to costs for any certified copy of a marriage license in Oregon.

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 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.

Getting a Marriage Certificate in Pennsylvania

If you have been married in Pennsylvania or are doing investigation or research into a marriage that took place in the state, you may be wondering how to get an official copy of the certificate.  Pennsylvania has no state agency that keeps a copy of every marriage certificate in PA, so you will need to work with your county courthouse to find the marriage records you're looking for.  This guide will teach you how to get a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania whether you're a newly-married couple, someone who needs a duplicate copy, or someone who is conducting research.

Your Original Marriage Certificate in Pennsylvania

Newlyweds in Pennsylvania will sign their marriage license, and then send it to the county courthouse where they were married.  Your first marriage certificate in PA can be sent to you soon after your marriage is complete.  You may need to have a copy of your marriage certificate in Pennsylvania to prove that you are married for insurance purposes or government documents.

In order to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate in PA, you will need to write to the clerk of the court for the county where the marriage took place.  Some counties may also offer telephone or internet searches, with credit card payment, if you need a copy of a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania.  To find out what options your county courthouse offers for obtaining records of a marriage certificate in PA, you will need to contact them.  

Certified Marriage Certificates

For many government documents, it is not enough to have simply a copy of a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania.  A certified marriage certificate in PA is required in order for a woman to change her name on her Social Security card.  You may also be required to show an employer a certified marriage certificate in Pennsylvania if you are trying to add your spouse to an insurance plan.  

Obtaining a certified marriage certificate in PA is usually fairly easy, but may cost slightly more than having a non-certified marriage certificate.  Typically, costs remain low for obtaining a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania—you can often pay as little as $10 even for a certified copy.  You may want to check with your county courthouse to see what is currently charged for a copy of a marriage certificate in PA in your county.

Non-Certified Marriage Certificates

Not everyone needs the official state seal on their marriage certificate in Pennsylvania.  If you only need to verify the information on a marriage record or do research on a marriage, you may be able to purchase a copy of a non-certified marriage certificate in PA.  These certificates may not be appropriate for the purposes of some government forms, but they will allow you to do research or investigation more cheaply.  For instance, in Allegheny County, while a certified copy of a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania will cost $10, a non-certified copy costs just $4.

How to Obtain Copies of Marriage Licenses: Texas 

Receiving a Copy of Marriage License in Texas 

Receiving copies of marriage licenses in Texas is quite easy as long as you follow a few steps.  These steps are listed in this article, as well as information about Texas County Courts and things you may need to bring with you when requesting a copy of marriage license in Texas.  

Step 1: Visit your County Court

The first step to obtaining copies of marriage licenses in Texas is calling or traveling to the County Court in your jurisdiction.  

Some counties give you the option to send in a request by mail for a copy of marriage license in Texas, and you’ll want to ask the clerk what steps you should take to request by mail.  Contact information is located farther below in this article.  

Step 2: Bring All Necessary Items

You’ll want to bring all the following items with you:

• Identification: Texas law requires you to bring your driver’s license, birth certificate, U.S. passport, military ID car, or your Social Security number.  You won’t have to bring all these items, but you will need at least one in order to receive a copy of marriage license in Texas.  

• Divorce Decree: You must wait 30 days after a divorce becomes official in order to obtain copies of marriage licenses in Texas.  The divorce decree must state that the 30 day waiting period is waived, you can obtain a copy of the divorce decree from your area’s district court.  Contact information is listed farther below in this article.  

Step 3: Pay the Fee

The clerk will answer any questions you have, will have to pay a fee for one copies and a reduced fee for any additional copies of marriage licenses in Texas.  For example, the Tarrant County Court charges $21.00 for the first copy, and $10 for any additional copy you may want at the same time  Some counties charge up to $71 after all the fees, so prepare for a range in price.  

Fees range by county and district in Texas, and some of these fees for the copy of marriage License in Texas are not posted on the websites of the County Court.  The clerk will notify you of fees when you travel to or call the court.  

But note, as of 2008, your fee will be waived for the copy of marriage license in Texas you complete 8 hours of premarital preparation courts.  

How do I find County Court Contact Information? 

If you want copies of marriage licenses in Texas and need contact information for the County Court, there is an easy way to find contact information for every County Court in TX.  

Then, select your county from the range of counties, and press Go.  You’ll find contact information for all County Clerks and you’ll have an easy time obtaining copies of marriage licenses in Texas. 

How to Obtain Copies of Marriage Licenses in Michigan 

Receiving a Copy of Marriage License: Michigan

There are two ways you can receives copies of marriage licenses in Michigan: you can fill out a simple for and send it to vital records, or you can go to your local county clerk and receive the forms there.  If you want to submit a form to vital records for a copy of marriage license in Michigan.  

After you have completed all the necessary information on the form, you send the form to the following address:  

Vital Records Requests (or Vital Records RUSH if you need the form quickly)

PO Box 30721

Lansing, MI 48909

If you want to obtain copies of marriage licenses in Michigan through your county court, follow the directions in the section listed below.  

Step 1: Visit your Probate Court

The first step to obtaining copies of marriage licenses in Michigan is calling or traveling to the county court in your jurisdiction.  

Some counties give you the option to send in a request by mail, but many courts require you to show proper identification in person with the clerk.  If you do have the option to send in a request through the mail, make sure you follow all of the steps listed below very carefully.  

Step 2: Bring all Necessary Items for copies of marriage licenses in Michigan

You’ll want to bring the following items with you in order to obtain the copy of marriage license in Michigan:

• Identification: Michigan law requires you to bring your driver’s license, birth certificate, U.S. passport, military ID car, or your Social Security number.  You won’t have to bring all these items, but you will need at least one so the clerk can verify your identity.

• Divorce Decree: If you were in another marriage and went through a divorce, you’ll need to bring a copy of the divorce decree with you to the county clerk.  The same rules apply for obtaining copies of marriage licenses in Michigan if you are a widow.  

Step 3 Pay the Fee for the Copy of Marriage License in Michigan

In order to obtain the first copy of marriage license in Michigan, you’ll usually have to pay $26 for the first copy you receive—and this fee may range from county to county.  For more copies of marriage licenses in Michigan, you’ll only have to pay $12 for each, and there are other fees associated with how fast you need the form.   

Because fees may range in the state of Michigan from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, you’ll want to call the clerk and ask them about the fees so you can properly prepare.  The county clerk is not allowed to verify a copy of marriage license in Michigan if you fail to bring a valid form of identification or the proper amounts of payment.