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D
Just Said Yes January 2011

Getting Married in Different State Than Where I Live Question

D, on December 3, 2010 at 7:14 PM Posted in Planning 4 32

I noticed a lot of people are getting married in a different state than where they live. Do you have to get married in the same state where you get your marriage license? I live in FL and want to have the ceremony in CA. Do I need a CA marriage license? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

32 Comments

Latest activity by Kathleen, on August 13, 2019 at 5:02 PM
  • Mrs. Kline (Sass)
    Master December 2010
    Mrs. Kline (Sass) ·
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    You will need a CA marriage license.

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  • D
    Just Said Yes January 2011
    D ·
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    Oh wow, that was a quick response. Thanks Smiley smile I've been trying to find official verbage online and can't find anything. Only the laws for each state and they don't explicitly state the answer to the question.

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  • Justine
    Expert August 2011
    Justine ·
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    You would need a marriage license from CA.

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  • Carole M (a.k.a "old tart")
    Master October 2011
    Carole M (a.k.a "old tart") ·
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    You may even have to go to the county/township in which you are being married, and get your license there. If you go to CA's website, they should tell you wait times, id requirements, etc.

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  • Mrs. Kline (Sass)
    Master December 2010
    Mrs. Kline (Sass) ·
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    @DD. Lol I am marrying out of state too Smiley smile

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  • June
    Expert March 2011
    June ·
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    Try checking out this site . . . http://usmarriagelaws.com/ That explains laws in all states. Good luck!

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  • D
    Just Said Yes January 2011
    D ·
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    I should have done this forum sooner. I spent 1.5hours searching online and everyone here has answered my question in 5min. Thanks everyone for your help.

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  • Tinkerbell
    Devoted November 2010
    Tinkerbell ·
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    Haven't checked the site that June referenced, but would suggest that you check not only the state's regulations but the regulations for the county/township/parish in which you plan to get married as well. Your officient should be able to advise you. We just got married in another state last weekend and had to get our license in the county in which we were married which was a county regulation. Other counties in the state will accept licenses from other counties. Good luck! Planning a ceremony/reception from another state can be challenging. Just try to be as organized as you can and plan ahead!

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  • Meghan
    Master August 2011
    Meghan ·
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    You need to get the marriage license from the country clerks office for the county you are getting married in. The license is valid for that county only. My recommendation is to contact them directly and find out what the procedures are to get a license for non-residents.

    Various places require different things. The county we are getting married in charges $45 for a license, or $5 if you do an approved pre-marital counseling course- which we can do online for free through our officiant.

    Some places requrie blood tests, etc. And there is usually a waiting period- like in Texas, there is a 3 day waiting period from when you get the license to when you are able to get married, and it expires after 30 days.

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  • 2d Bride
    Champion October 2009
    2d Bride ·
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    Definitely check out the waiting period! In Massachusetts (where we got married), there is a three-day waiting period. Fortunately, you can get a court waiver of it. However, that meant we were hanging around family court the day before our wedding, hoping that the judge would decide we could get married the next day.

    @Mean Hag Troll, Jr. B.: I am cracking up at having an apprentice.

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  • Nicole
    Dedicated April 2011
    Nicole ·
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    Idk about California, but we're living in Florida and getting married in New Jersey. We have to get the marriage license from the same municipality in which we're getting married. A little searching around should have the details. I think I just Googled "marriage license new jersey" and it came up.

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  • binx
    Master August 2010
    binx ·
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    Do a double check on if you can get it in any city/town in CA. we live in NH but got married in Boston. in the state of MA, you can get a license in any city/town/etc nearest to you... which was awesome because the prices are different also (range from $25-100!!).

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  • Joanne
    Just Said Yes August 2013
    Joanne ·
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    Anyone get married in Colorado near Carbondale, Glenwood Springs area? I am looking for a romantic setting as well as an officient to marry us outside

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  • V
    Just Said Yes November 2012
    virginia ·
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    My fiance and I were displaced by Hurricane Sandy...we were going to marry in NY but have been living with my daughter in NJ and we do want to get married in NJ since we will be living here for a long time...We filed for a license in NY in October of this year. Will we have to apply for a NJ license?

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  • H
    Beginner October 2014
    Heather ·
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    We got a license in West Virginia and married in Pa....didn't realize the place we chose was actually in Pa. Does that make it not valid?

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  • J
    Just Said Yes October 2015
    Jewel ·
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    We were married in Reno Nevada but I live in CA I want to know will our marriage be recognized in the state we live in

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  • C
    Just Said Yes February 2016
    cindy ·
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    Someone getting married in Florida but is a Minnesota resident. The person marrying them is one of those people that go online and pay 35.00 to become an ordained minister. Is this marriage going to be legal at all?

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  • C
    Just Said Yes February 2016
    cindy ·
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    Noone can help me?

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  • T
    Just Said Yes May 2018
    Tony ·
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    I have a question for everybody if my fiance is married in Florida can she get married in Dallas

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  • A
    Just Said Yes July 2016
    Alicia ·
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    We are getting married July 2nd four weeks from today we are living in Blytheville Ar but getting married in Cherokee Al can we get licenses here in Ar or what

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