There’s almost nothing more romantic than taking the carpe diem approach to marriage. Elopement is not just something that happens in movies. It’s very real. As such, it carries with it real-world ramifications. Even if you’ve decided to elope specifically to avoid the stress of a big wedding and all the planning that goes along with it, there are still a few simple things you can do to prevent unnecessary trouble in the future.
Legality
To begin with, you’ll want to make sure that you can get married. This primarily entails researching the legal age for marriage in your state. If you and your partner are above that age, then you’re most likely ready to get hitched. Additionally, you’ll want to be certain that you and your partner are both legally single. And when you’re in the process of getting married, it’s generally required that you be lucid – so you should avoid drinking heavily before the ceremony as that can sometimes preclude a legal marriage.
If you are under 18, you can still get married in some states. In Colorado, for instance, if you’re 16 or 17, you can get your parent or legal guardian to sign a form. And if you’re under 16, you can sometimes get a court order.
Applying for the Certificate
It is vital to understand the procedures for applying for a marriage certificate. Each state has its own procedural requirements dictating which documents you’ll need, how long the waiting period will be after you’ve applied and the expiration date of your license. In many cases, you will need some form of official ID (such as a passport or driver’s license) in order to purchase the certificate. The fee for the license varies from state to state. In Pennsylvania, the fee varies between counties. To be clear, you need to apply for the license prior to the ceremony.
If you happen to live in Montana, you may need to supply proof of a blood test for rubella immunity. But you may bring a waiver showing you are exempt from this requirement.
Filing the Certificate
After you’ve applied for the license and received it, you may want to have a small but romantic ceremony. However, in order to make it truly official, you have to send in your marriage certificate after the ceremony so it can be filed by the State. The person who officiates the wedding is often the one who does this, though that can change depending on the state. In New York City, you have 60 days before the license expires. Be sure to check your state’s expiration date.
Change of Name
You may want to change your name after tying the knot. In many cases, credit card companies, banks and other institutions require some form of ID to validate the change. For this reason, it’s a good idea to first contact the Social Security Administration and the DMV so you have a form of ID with your new name on it. In some states, you may need to get a court order to change your last name, so be sure to research your state’s rules on the matter.
Prenuptial Agreement
In some cases it is also a good idea to at least consider signing a prenuptial agreement. Such an agreement can help you and your partner avoid unpleasant decisions down the line. If you happen to get a divorce at some point, you’ll be happy to have settled questions about assets and debt. If you don’t settle these questions now, legal fees can be exorbitantly high in the future and the legal proceedings could be drawn out for far too long.
Ultimately, it will likely do more good than harm. Note: in California, you must have an attorney present if the agreement affects child support payments.
Because everything described above is subject to the specific laws or your state, it is always a good idea to consult an attorney with experience in family law before marriage – regardless of whether you choose to elope or go for a big wedding. Your attorney will be able to offer sound legal advice as you advance toward your destination of happiness and eternal love.
