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Angelica
Savvy July 2012

how long did you wait for...

Angelica, on August 8, 2012 at 12:19 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 14

How long do I wait after my wedding, to get my original marriage license back? I live in Dallas Texas, & I have been married for exactly a month today. At first I heard 2 weeks then 3...how long did you wait? I want to change my last name already (:

14 Comments

Latest activity by Mrs L, on August 8, 2012 at 11:08 AM
  • MyLove&HisMrs.
    VIP November 2014
    MyLove&HisMrs. ·
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    I don't know about Texas, but in California, you cannot change your name until you have your original marriage certificate, social security card and driver's license.

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  • 2d Bride
    Champion October 2009
    2d Bride ·
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    It all depends on the state. In Massachusetts, we had to keep checking back on the website of the City Clerk until we saw the marriage had been recorded, then send in a request for the certificate.

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  • Angelica
    Savvy July 2012
    Angelica ·
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    That's how it is down here, that's why I want to know when y'all got the original marriage certificate back. I kinda just wanna know how long I'm suppose to be waiting. Cause the anticipation is killin me lol

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  • Angelica
    Savvy July 2012
    Angelica ·
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    When you send in the request, do they give you the original or a copy?

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  • MyLove&HisMrs.
    VIP November 2014
    MyLove&HisMrs. ·
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    It's the same in California. You have to wait until your marriage is recorded then request a certified copy.

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  • 2d Bride
    Champion October 2009
    2d Bride ·
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    @Angelica M.: We ordered a certified copy. The original was kept with the clerk's office, but the certified copy can be used to provide proof of marriage.

    However, I really can't tell how long Dallas will take. It could be entirely different from Worcester.

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  • S
    Dedicated October 2014
    SharonR ·
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    We got married in Maine only 3 weeks ago and ours came in the mail after only a week. We requested original copies when we applied for the licence and we paid for them upfront.

    I am guessing the length of time it takes will all depend on the size of the facility that is distributing them (the city hall, city clerk, or what not) and how quickly your officiant/minister/etc submitted the completed paperwork.

    Since I am in a different country than hubby right now he is mailing the original copy to me so that I can do the name change thing as well. So I empathize with your impatience. lol.

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  • C
    Dedicated July 2012
    Celia ·
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    We got married in Austin on 7/7 (date twin!). The original certificate arrived in Dallas (our mailing address) early last week. Did you mail in the signed license yourself or did your officiant do it? We got married at a catholic church and they sent in the signed license to the court the Monday after the wedding so there were no delays. If your officiant sent it to the court, maybe try asking them when they sent it?

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  • MrsO
    Master May 2012
    MrsO ·
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    One thing I really liked about getting married in Maryland was that our marriage license automatically became out marriage certificate once it was completed by our officiant. We didn't have to wait for anything in the mail at all. It was wonderful.

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  • Mrs. S™
    Master October 2011
    Mrs. S™ ·
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    In VA, we went to the courthouse about 3 business days after the wedding and picked it up.

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  • Nancy Taussig
    Nancy Taussig ·
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    Mrs. O, in Fla., the marriage license also becomes the marriage certificate once the officiant signs it. But, it does have to go back to the county courthouse that issued it to be recorded. Then a certified copy is sent to the B&G's home address within 2-4 weeks (6 weeks in busy wedding season).

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  • Christina
    VIP June 2012
    Christina ·
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    When we got married, my priest handed us the carbon copy (I know, old fashion!) And at the SS office here in PA they processed everything and I officially changed my name that week and got a PA license.

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  • Lucinda Cefalo Gabriel ( Mrz. Monkey )
    VIP June 2012
    Lucinda Cefalo Gabriel ( Mrz. Monkey ) ·
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    It took us about a week or so. we got our ML in Fort Bend County in Missouri City TX

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  • Mrs L
    Master March 2012
    Mrs L ·
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    I went to the court house three weeks after our wedding to pick ours up. We got married out of town, but in the same state (CA) and it took an extra week for them to receive it. Then, I went to the social security office and the DMV. My name was changed in just shy of a month after our wedding.

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