Why do we have to obtain a license to get married?

The license is to make sure:

1. That you are both consenting adults that are free to marry.

2. Formal documentation of the civil contract to be filed with the recorder.

That’s why it has to be signed by the officiant and two witnesses.

A marriage license is basically a pre-nup that is intended to distribute property and ensure care for the children if the marriage breaks up, or a partner dies.

Beyond that, marriage is what a person makes of it.

You could marry common law. Just live together for about 7 months.

For a “common law” marriage to be considered as such, you have to have purchased things, like a house and stuff, in both of your names. You can’t just live with a person for 6 months, then leave and try to sue them for half of their stuff.

I thought it was 7 years – at least it used to be.

Probably varies from state to state. Wow. Read this

We tried to prove common law marriage for a relative if mine when her boyfriend died and we couldn’t do it because if the state she lived in.

You don’t need a marriage license for a religious ceremony, or an informal marriage ceremony, but if you want the marriage to be a civil, or legal marriage, you need a license. You need a signed marriage “contract” to be covered by the laws of the state. Unless, as pointed out above, you can prove common law marriage.

Didn’t they used to do blood testing for Marriage licenses? I know marriage records are pretty good sources for genealogy information.

The blood test was for Syphilis I think. I think a few states still require it.

I guess you gotta be pretty serious about wanting to get married if you have to get your blood tested. :)

I’m surprised they didn’t bring back the blood tests when HIV hit the scene.