Married without a license?

You can have a ceremony exclaiming your love, but you can't be married or pronounced as married. I would call the license office and see what they suggest. Since you have a base near you, they might have some options for you. Otherwise check their hours. Philadelphia has late hours on Wednesdays. Maybe the office is open late one day.

An officiant legally can't "marry" you or say it's even a marriage publicly unless you provide proof your license. So whoever is marrying you, won't touch your wedding with a ten foot pole.

It was very touched upon by the 4 officiants that I talked to.

And I don't think you're down to the wire or waiting until the last minute. The state of Michigan only allows the application to be valid for 30 days before we have to do it again, so if you were in Michigan, today would be the earliest day you could apply anyway.

Celia made a comment on an earlier post for a similar situation – She basically said your officiant can open themselves up to liability if they marry you without a license, and many officiants won't marry you without one because of that. I'd... really make it a priority to get the license.

I am able to apply for the marriage license online then wait 3 days to pick it up. Also, both of us don't need to go to pick it up, only one of us has to be there.

Also, I think this happens pretty often, some people get married at a destination and then don't get the license completed till they return home because of the rules in place for people to get married outside of their country. My friend had to do that when he went to the UK to "get married", they didn't sign their paperwork until about a month after they returned to Canada.

Wait, what? Aleigh, what state are you in? That's scary...what's to prevent a scammer/stalker from marrying someone randomly?

In Virginia (that's where you are, right, OP?), you both have to be present to pick it up. They make you say an oath in front of the court clerk.

I hope from all the previous comments that you get it, but this popped into my head, so I will use it.

Yeah, your officiant may not do it. If you can't get the license, let the officiant know it is going to be just a committment ceremony ahead of time. The other issue will be, you'll then need to hire an officiant AGAIN to do the legal part. So you may want to ask your real officiant to wait and have a friend/family member do a symbolic ceremony. I would also say be up front with guests about it.

You can apply online, though. You still need to appear in person but it would take less time when you arrive. I'd also call and ask if they have any allowances for military? I dont see that they do, but maybe...

I am like 90% sure that in MA you can make an appointment with a clerk to get the license outside of normal hours since they know that they have short office hours or hours that most people are in work. i would ask if you can make an appointment for a friday after he gets out

Have him talk to his CO about it. Depending on his command, they might make an exception. I know how hard it can be to get the military to work for you. Fingers crossed for you two!

I'm not understanding why Friday is the only option to pick up? Is Mon-Thur not an option?

I'm sure there are a lot of military couples that have a similar issue in VA. Getting a marriage license is a very big deal. If you can't use a proxy or some notarized document to represent your FH (call the clerk's office to ask) he should be able to get a few hours off to get it, even if he has to make up the time somehow.

I'm in Michigan. The license is not valid until it is signed by an officiant, I doubt the officiant would marry someone with only one person there.

License

Apply Online

CLICK HERE to apply for a Macomb County marriage license using the Online Marriage Application system.

After using the Online Marriage Application system, you will come to the Macomb County Clerk's office, located in the Court Building, 40 North Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. The clerk will print your application form, you will sign it, and the clerk will notarize your signature. You must bring your driver’s license or state photo identification card. Only the bride or groom needs to attend (both are welcome to do so), but the person who comes must be a Macomb County resident. There is no charge for the notarization service. CLICK HERE for our current office hours and directions

AleighC3--

I assume you were trying to be helpful in explaining what it is that you have to do? Anyway, most states require you to both show up. Maryland (where I am) is not one of them, so I lucked out in that aspect. But that's not common.

@Aleigh, oh right, two have to be present, LOL!

Sue, I didn't say she can't have a commitment ceremony. I was just pointing out that she won't be legally married. And as for the destination weddings, if they don't sign the papers then and there, they not legally married. They're just committed. Nothing wrong with that, but technicalities are important. If you "get married" (I'm using quotes because you're not married) without having a license, then you can still walk away without having to file for divorce. Because you're not married.

Jessica - I'm pretty sure that's against the law.

I feel like... a 4-star should know better.

@Lively, both parties don't have to go pick up our license where we are, but the paperwork has to be signed by both and there has to be ID presented (usually Birth Certificates) to prove you are a Canadian Citizen. We are in Ontario.

Yeah, I thought that maybe she didn't know that was even an option, I didn't until I looked into it. I thought maybe if it's like that here, it might be there...