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Beginner March 2019

Marriage License - Destination Wedding

Logan, on January 18, 2018 at 4:42 PM Posted in Planning 0 8

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Hello! I live in Oklahoma, but my fiancé and I are having our wedding in Arkansas (all of our college friends are from Arkansas, as well as my entire family). Since this is a “destination wedding,” do we get our marriage license in Oklahoma or Arkansas? I have heard Oklahoma, but I have also heard Arkansas, and am really unsure. Thank you!

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Latest activity by Ashley, on January 18, 2018 at 10:27 PM

Just Said Yes June 2018
Jessica · on January 18, 2018 at 4:57 PM
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You get your marriage license in Arkansas. I live in North Carolina but I'm getting married in Oregon so I'm dealing with the same thing! Just make sure you check out Arkansas' eligibility rules. Some places have waiting periods!
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Dedicated December 2017
RustyTheDog · on January 18, 2018 at 4:59 PM
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States require you get the license in the state where the wedding occurs (so for you Arkansas).
I did a similar thing: live in Ohio, married in Georgia. We had to get our marriage license in the county where we got married in Georgia as non-residents of the state. If you were a resident, you could get the license from any county, non-resident though meant your license was only for that county specifically. A marriage certificate, once issued, is valid in any state, you don't have to reapply in your state or anything. A marriage license on the other hand, is only valid for the state (or county sometimes) that is is issued in.
Check how long a license is valid, and any waiting period if needed. My husband had to come into town earlier than he wanted so we could ensure we got the license. You have to both be there in person to apply for the license, but not to turn in the license to get the certificate. You can do that by mail or have someone else turn it in for you (and it may be required that the officiant turn it in, depending on the state).
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Champion November 2016
LB · on January 18, 2018 at 5:00 PM
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You get your license in the county you are getting married in. For you, this would be the county in Arkansas.
I live in MD, we got married in FL, we got our license in FL.
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Master October 2016
Mrs. Fall Bride · on January 18, 2018 at 5:24 PM
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Not always true. In NY, you get your license in the town where you live, not where the wedding is.
OP, every state is different, you need to call the court clerks and find out.
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Champion June 2018
muriel · on January 18, 2018 at 5:43 PM
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Check the law where you are getting married. People are too quick to say what to do based on what they had to do. If they live or married in a different state, it's not necessarily the same.
https://www.arkansas.com/weddings/laws/
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Champion November 2016
LB · on January 18, 2018 at 5:48 PM
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Holy moly, that's the first state I've heard of that! Learn something new every day
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Champion June 2018
muriel · on January 18, 2018 at 6:19 PM
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Or not...
Where do you get a marriage license?
"A couple who intends to be married in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state"
"Where can a marriage take place?
A New York State marriage license may be used within New York State only."

excerpts from
https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/4210/
Connecticut is an example of a state where you must get your license in the town in which you intend to marry.
http://www.hartford.gov/marriage-licenses
There was just a thread yesterday from a bride whose ceremony and reception sites are in different towns, and would require a different license of the ceremony had to be moved to the reception site because of rain.
That's why people must check with their state's website, not just social sites.
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