A marriage license is a document that legalizes the marriage union of a couple. Before a couple can get married in the United States of America, they must receive a marriage license. There are so many people who ask why this is so. Why must citizens have a marriage license to marry? What is the purpose of the marriage license? 5 reasons why US citizens need a marriage license to marry are:
- Marriage license helps with the transfer of property
There are laws in the constitution that control the transfer of properties to spouses and their children after a divorce or death. When a marriage is legalized by the law, there will be proof of the marriage that the court can use in deciding who the property would be transferred to. If marriages were not recognized by the law, aiding transfer of properties may be complicated. Also, during disputes over property, a legal marriage can make the decision making easier. For example; a man and his wife are separated, but not divorced. During this period he gets involved with another woman. If he dies and both women go to the court to decide who receives his property, the court will rule in favor of his legal wife.
- Marriage license ensures both parties are eligible
Before you can get married in the U.S there are some factors that will determine your eligibility. The first is age. Citizens under the age of 14 cannot be issued a married license. Citizens of age 14 and 15 must present a consent form or letter written by a judge and his/her parents. Applicants of age 16 and 17 must also present a written consent, but only from parents. This ensures that no child under the age of 14 is married and that applicants between the ages of 14 to 17 are married only with consent from their legal guardians.
The marriage license is only given to people who are not related by blood. Marriages between parents and children, siblings, aunties and nephews and so on, are not approved by the law. First cousins though, can receive a marriage license.
- Marriage license implements legal restrictions
Marriage licenses help implement state restrictions. A marriage license will not be granted to anyone who already has a legal spouse; hence he/she cannot be married to numerous people. A marriage license will not be granted to an underage couple. A marriage license will not be granted if one party does not consent to the marriage. A marriage license will not be granted for the sake of immigration. Each country has rules and regulations concerning marriages and a marriage license helps to enforce these rules.
- Marriage license gives a couple the state’s permission
If you are given a US marriage license, it means that you have the state’s permission to get married. This way, if your religion, family or any other social group objects to your marriage, you can go ahead with the state’s permission. The state’s authority is the most important authority needed for a marriage to take place.
- A marriage license makes marriage legal
When a couple gets married with a marriage license, their marriage will be registered as a legal marriage. This way nobody can dispute their marriage claims. But if a couple gets married only by the authority of the church or by their customs, it can easily be dissolved. With a marriage license, in any part of the world, you travel to your marriage will remain legal.
A marriage license also gives spouses the right to their significant other’s Medicare and social security. It gives couples the chance to make medical decisions for their partners. For example, if one spouse is involved in an accident and is unconscious, doctors can ask the other partner to make the final decisions on the course of treatment. If one party dies, the other can make decisions on their property. Lastly, the surviving party will also gain access to the other’s retirement funds and worker’s compensation. Without a marriage license, couples will not be able to make these decisions or take the property that belongs to their spouse.
If you need more information, you can use www.usmarriagelaws.com as a resource.
