Multiple Marriage Licenses

What is the name of your state? CA and NJ

Is it illegal to obtain 2 marriage licences... one in CA and one in NJ? My husband and I had a civil service in CA 3 three years ago, but we want to have a church wedding in NJ next year and get a marriage license in NJ as well.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally posted by 2131
What is the name of your state? CA and NJ

Is it illegal to obtain 2 marriage licences... one in CA and one in NJ? My husband and I had a civil service in CA 3 three years ago, but we want to have a church wedding in NJ next year and get a marriage license in NJ as well.

My response:

A marriage license issued in one State is only good in the issuing State. Therefore, you would need to, be necessity of law, obtain a new marriage license in any other State. So, the short answer is no, it is not illegal. It's required.

However, why would you choose New Jersey?

IAAL

Originally posted by 2131
My husband and I had a civil service in CA 3 three years ago

Humbly, I ask... Why do they need another license in NJ? Isn't their original civil marriage valid across state lines? Can they not just conduct a church ceremony without a second civil validation/license?

I've known a few military couples that have had civil ceremonies for "eyes of the law" purposes followed up with church ceremonies for their families--not formally documenting the church ceremonies with the respective location because they were already legally married.

Or maybe I'm reading this wrong?

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally posted by justathought


Humbly, I ask... Why do they need another license in NJ? Isn't their original civil marriage valid across state lines? Can they not just conduct a church ceremony without a second civil validation/license?

I've known a few military couples that have had civil ceremonies for "eyes of the law" purposes followed up with church ceremonies for their families--not formally documenting the church ceremonies with the respective location because they were already legally married.

Or maybe I'm reading this wrong?

My response:

Of course their California Civil marriage is "good" anywhere; even in parts of Burbank. However, perhaps this couple wish to be married in the Church; i.e., they only had a Civil Ceremony, and now wish to pull out all the "stops".

IAAL

Originally posted by I AM ALWAYS LIABLE
... and now wish to pull out all the "stops".

But not necessary because of the already legally binding union, right?

I just think your first post implied (heck, stated) that it would be necessaryto obtain additional licensure, whereas if they're just doing it for aesthetics, they should be able to hold the church ceremony without all the accompanying civil paperwork that would normally go along with it because in reality it's already legit.

**To original poster: I think the crux of my rambling is: Do you know you don't need a license to perform a church ceremony? Because the state and church are separate entities, it only matters in the eyes of the law if you are bound to each other by civil standards. While normally the ceremonies are concurrent for those in a recognized religion, it does not necessarily have to be so--You can have one without the other, but only the "civil side" of it will be the binding in the "eyes of the law" as the law doesn't care about the "eyes of the church".

(Wow, am I rambling today!)

Yes, I am aware that I could have a church wedding ceremony without obtaining a marriage license. However, my husband and I would like to have a church wedding and obtain a marriage license from NJ. I was just concerned that the law forbade a couple from holding 2 marriage licenses; I thought it might be considered polygamous.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally posted by 2131
Yes, I am aware that I could have a church wedding ceremony without obtaining a marriage license. However, my husband and I would like to have a church wedding and obtain a marriage license from NJ. I was just concerned that the law forbade a couple from holding 2 marriage licenses; I thought it might be considered polygamous.

"Polygamy" is a marriage in which a spouse of either sex may have more than one mate at the same time. It has nothing to do with marrying the same person.

As a matter of ipso facto, you can theoretically apply for, and obtain, a marriage license in each of the 50 States, and get married 50 times - - as long as it's to the same person. So, if you want to start a new fad by collecting marriage licenses, you might start a new craze.

IAAL