Marriage Requirements, Licenses, and Ceremonies FAQ
Information on marriage laws and procedures.
» Can anyone get married to anyone?
Does any state recognize same-sex marriages?
What's the difference between a "marriage license" and a "marriage certificate"?
Where can we get a marriage license?
Are blood tests still required before marriage?
Who can perform a marriage ceremony?
Are there requirements about what the ceremony must include?
Can anyone get married to anyone?
You must meet certain requirements in order to marry. These vary slightly from state to state, but generally include:
- being at least the age of consent (usually 18, though sometimes you may marry younger with your parents' consent)
- not being too closely related to your intended spouse
- having sufficient mental capacity -- that is, you must understand what you are doing and what consequences your actions may have
- being sober at the time of the marriage
- not being married to anyone else
- getting a blood test (in just a few states), and
- obtaining a marriage license.
| Marital Prohibitions |
|
All but two states (California and Massachusetts) prohibit people of the same sex from marrying. And all states prohibit a person from marrying a sibling, half-sibling, parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, child, grandchild, great-grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew. Some states have additional prohibitions.
|
|
Back to top
|
|
