Can you get legally married before your official wedding?

You can do whatever you want. A lot of states are marrying people legally over zoom now.

Yep, but you don’t have to pay for an officiant just to perform the vow renewal, anyone could do it since it’s not a legal ceremony.

Yea! A lot of people do that

If you're already legally married at an earlier date, an officiant may or may not work with you and you could have a friend perform the ceremony in that case.

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I am not too sure about this but you can most likely get an officiant to perform a ceremony. I am sure they will do whatever to get paid either way. They just won't legally notarize or file any paper work because you already did. I am sure some will do a symbolic ceremony or vow renewal.

Of course you can! You'd be surprised to learn how many couples were married before the ceremony, even in pre-pandemic times! Do what works best for you two! Your family and friends will be there to celebrate with you for your big wedding when you're ready, and many officiants will be happy to participate. Good luck on your move and in grad school!

Yes you can. I'm not sure why you think you could get more money being married though. I would think you could actually get less because if either of you will be working they will take both of your incomes into account. But if you aren't married then they wouldn't. I think I would talk to a financial advisor about this.

Yupp, I got married 2/5/19 & I’m having my ceremony 2/5/2022 most people were inviting don’t even know we’re officially married just be prepared you may receive some questions when you’re celebrating your first anniversary earlier than they remember your wedding being

As everyone stated here you can. I’m not sure how that will affect your FAFSA application. Doesn’t that use your previous year’s filing records for taxes? Also if you file jointly as a married couple wouldn’t that put you at a higher income level? Just some things to think about. Perhaps you can talk to your schools’ Financial Aid Department and/or your Tax Accountant/Advisor.

View Quoted Comment Hi, Marisa
Thanks for commenting! I don't think so because as of right now, I live alone. And when I have filled out the FAFSA, it still asked for my parents income even though I do not live with them. So I'm thinking if we are married, both of our income together will be much less than if we put our parents and our income. I remember there are questions at the beginning of the FAFSA like are you a vet, emancipated minor, parent, born before a certain year, e.t.c. And if we don't got any of that criteria, if we are married we won't have to put our parents income under which I never got much aid for school because my parents made too much. I'll definitely still have to think about it and maybe look over the FAFSA.

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That makes sense. That’s the main reason I waited to go to college until I was of legal age where my parents did not have to apply or co-sign for any aid. However I did so single. I’m sure your’s and your FH’s income would probably be less than your parents. Again, I would talk it over with your Financial Aid and/or Tax Advisor just to be sure.

You can get married before you wedding day. Just go down to the court house and get married and you will get your marriage right then and there

Absolutely!! You guys do what makes you happy.
Good luck to you both on your marriage and school.

You totally can! Are you going to keep it a secret & then have your wedding like normal? We thought about doing the same thing.


Could you file as common law for FAFSA & then keep your original date? I think speaking to your advisor would be very helpful to decide which way you want to go. That’s awesome that y’all are both going back to school. Congrats!!

Sure you can! We secretly eloped in Nov 2019 due to a family tragedy. We wanted to have a wedding celebration with family a later time, which was in May and now moved to October. We were going to still celebrate in October, but now had to downsize to just us and our parents. So we are going to do a vow renewal because it so close to our anniversary.