Can you be denied a marriage license?
Asked by: Juston Wisoky | Last update: January 21, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (61 votes)
We will deny a Marriage License Application when an applicant cannot provide proof that a previous marriage has ended due to divorce, annulment, or death of the other spouse. There are occasionally times when a person applying for a Marriage License was once a victim of identity theft.
Why do marriage licenses get denied?
Obtaining a marriage license without admitting to the court clerk or other state authority that the couple is related (e.g., incest); and/or. Getting a marriage license without consent if a couple is underage or one of the party's is mentally incapable of understanding the meaning of marriage.
What is required to get a marriage license in Tennessee?
What are the requirements for a marriage license? These are the requirements for a marriage license in the State of Tennessee: Both parties, groom and bride, must come together to apply. You must bring both your driver's licenses (or State IDs) and social security numbers (can also use birth certificates).
What voids a marriage license?
Void marriages (i.e., those that are never valid) are those that are incestuous or bigamous. Under California Family Code § 2200, a marriage is incestuous if it is between parents and children, ancestors and descendants of every degree, siblings and half-siblings, and uncles or aunts and nieces and nephews.
What are the marriage license requirements in Pennsylvania?
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Provide government-issued photo ID.
- Provide proof of dissolution of most recent previous marriage. Divorce Decree (photocopy acceptable) Civil Annulment (photocopy acceptable) Death Certificate (must be original)
Same-sex couple denied marriage license
How long does it take to process a marriage license in PA?
Once the application is processed, there is a mandatory three-day waiting period required by Pennsylvania law. After this period ends, the marriage license will be mailed to the address provided by the applicants. A completed marriage license can also be picked up in person at the Marriage License office.
What makes a marriage official in PA?
The Legal Marriage Ceremony is made up of: An exchange of vows or promises (facilitated by an authorized officiant, unless the ceremony is self- solemnizing) A pronouncement from the officiant. A valid, state-issued marriage license that has been completed and signed.
What makes a marriage invalid?
A marriage can be annulled only when the law considers your marriage either void or voidable. Examples of void marriages—unions that aren't legal to begin with—are where there's bigamy or incest. An example of a voidable marriage is one that took place when the spouses were highly intoxicated.
What happens if I mess up on my marriage license?
An error on your marriage certificate can make it more difficult to change your name or get marriage benefits. If you notice an error on your marriage certificate, you need to contact the county clerk or get a court order for an amended marriage certificate.
Are you still married if you don't consummate?
It's important to understand that the inability to consummate a marriage is considered a valid legal reason to annul a marriage.
Why do you need a marriage license?
Basically, a marriage license is essentially a legal permit that states you and your partner are legally allowed to marry. Also, it is a confirmation from the authority that there are no qualifications that would disqualify you from a legal marriage. Marriage is also a legal contract and a binding agreement.
How fast can you get a marriage license in Tennessee?
There is not a waiting period. The license will be issued the same day you apply, and must be used within 30 days from the date of issue. The authorized officiant must return the completed license within 3 days from the date of the marriage. The State of Tennessee does not require a blood test.
What happens if you never file a marriage license?
If a license is not filed, there is no legal marriage. If there is no legal marriage, the couple is not eligible to file for divorce.
What happens if you don't report a previous marriage?
As long as the previous marriages ended legally, there is no legal requirement for disclosure UNLESS the marriage license specifically asks about them.
What happens if you can't find your marriage license?
This can involve filing a petition with the court to seek a determination of the marriage's validity or exploring other legal avenues available in California. It's important to note that the absence of a marriage record may pose challenges, but it does not necessarily invalidate the marriage itself.
Are you legally married when you say "I do"?
It's considered a legal and personal commitment. For a marriage to be legal, it must meet the following requirements: Both spouses must agree to it voluntarily. Neither spouse can currently be married to someone else.
Can I update my marriage license?
In California, a factual mistake included on the face of the marriage license can be corrected by filing an Affidavit to Amend a Marriage Record with the County Clerk's office in the County that issued the marriage license.
Can you get married but not file?
A common law marriage is a legally recognized marriage between two people who have not purchased a marriage license or engaged in a ceremony overseen by an officiant. In the United States, common-law marriage is allowed in several states.
What is an unlawful marriage?
Illegal marriage is a marriage, which is not to be registered legally in the office of religion affairs or in the office of civil documentation.
How do you prove legal marriage?
The marriage certificate is the fundamental pillar when proving the legality of a marriage in the United States.
What makes a marriage not legal?
Incest - the union of siblings (and sometimes first cousins) Fraud - providing false information or willfully deceiving other parties. Bigamy - two simultaneous marriages, e.g., a person marrying someone while they are still married to someone else. Coercion - forcing another person into a marriage against their will.
Can you get married without making it official?
The short answers are: yes, elopements are very, very real and no, you cannot legally get married without a marriage license. But (yes, there's a but!) you can have a marriage ceremony in which the two of you commit your lives to one another called a commitment ceremony.
What are 3 requirements you need in order to have a legal marriage in PA?
- Government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport.
- Social security number if applicants have one (card is not necessary if you know the number).
- Most recent divorce decree if either applicant was previously married.
How does marriage license work in PA?
With a regular marriage license, an officiant must preside over the marriage ceremony. This person must be qualified under 23 PA CSA §1503. After the ceremony, the license is signed by the officiant, who must return the license to the Marriage License Department within 10 days.