AVERAGE LENGTH OF GETTING MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE?

You can probably ask the tax office for an extension.

You dont have to change your name to file a tax return, you just have to make sure you file your tax return with the name the social security office has. Also, If you are mid process in january with processing your name change you can wait to file your return. My girlfriend got married on Dec 8th last year and was able to have everything filed and changed in time for me to have their return processed by the end of March. You should have plenty of time since tax season doent truly start until Mid February (we have to wait for all the W2, 1099 and investment deadlines to get all the info in to do a return)Also, If you dont have a house or children, Make sure you compair how your refunds would be if you file joint and seperate. Depending on your situation, newly married people CAN get more money back by filing seperate, but that isnt every case. Just check it out both ways.

Yes, for I have been told that if one spouse makes much more than the other and also there is a mortgage envolved, you are better off filing jointly but in my casae, my fiance' makes so much that he always owes at the end of the year with all the overtime, etc. So I guess I will have to do it both ways

It took me 3 months to get my marriage license but the copy the court house gave me was good for my SScard, it was only with dmv that i had to wait to get my new id and everything.

It took you 3 months to get your license? That does not make any sense, for here in PA, once you apply for your license there is a 3 day waiting period and then they mail it out or you can pick it up...and it is good for 60 days...HMMM? Are we talking about the same thing here?

I think Shell means it took 3 months to get the Certificate back, not the license

I got married on September 5, we got back from our honeymoon on the 12th and the license was sitting in the mail waiting for us. And that was with the 7th being a holiday. As long as the officiant gets it in right away you should get it back in no time. Can the officiant make a copy for you before he mails it in? That will sometimes satisfy some places (like the bank so you can cash any checks). I got my new social security card yesterday and only went in last Monday to get it ordered. And since most places don't get you your tax info until mid-January I think you will be fine for tax purposes. The social security office gets the name change quickly, it just takes a few extra days to get the card mailed to you.

AmyMarie, If you take your taxes someplace just have them check both ways. If you are spliting your refunds so that you each get what you would have gotten if you had filed seperate (friends of mine did that)they should be able to give you a sheet that shows what you would have gotten so you can still spit it out evenly. With all the loop holes in taxes its so hard to say what way will work out best for you until you try it out. You never know, filing together might make it so you owe less in total tax but so can filing seperate. Just check it out. If there is a house involved filing joint might be the best.

If your officiant is on the ball, they'll get the paperwork in right away, if we have a weekend wedding, we are at the auditor's office the first business day after to turn in paperwork, its filed and within 48 the bride can get a certified copy by going in person and asking for one. Its actually a pretty easy process. However, know that in some places the officiant has 10 - 30 days to file the paperwork and they will often send in for all their weddings just once a month.

I did do some research and found out that the officiant has 7-10 days to mail it out and once the courthouse gets it, they put it into their computer system the same day they get it, which means total time is less than a month.

CelticChick: I have been doing my own taxes for years but it is just all the hassle to find out which way is best. I own my own hiome whereas due to my fiance' working 2 jobs and never being home, he lives in a small apartment. He will relocate and we will live here with the mortgage in my name only..only time will tell!